Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-30
DRAWA

wang, PanJandrum, The Little Troop
err 'Fleur de Lys.' The Wedding Day
with Lillian Russell and De Angels, and
lastly The Little Host And the one 1
loved most, the last of all, was the least
successful. Following this came my long
illness, and well, l guess, the dramatic
editors all had my career in cold type a
number of times awaiting the end 1
might be better off over there, but at any
rate I'm here and you'll hear from Della
yet. Next summer, if my stars are propi-
tious, I'm going out again in something
musical and merry. that will please. just
watch me-"
The name of Leavitt is one of the best
known in the field of burlesque. The
Rentz-Santley is not only the senior bur-
lesque organization, but dates back long
before the system of travelling combina-
tons became thoroughly established. But
in the rise and fall of burlesaue the origi-
nal Leav1tt, the founder of one of the
pioneer organizations, seems to have been
forgotten. M. B. Leavitt launched the
RentZ-Santley when such an organization
was more or less a novelty, and for num-
Der of years he had few competitors 1t
was at time when the majority of the
shows playing the same houses he played
many Of them the recognized burlesque
houses of today, were straight speciality
companies, and burlesque was not dished
up every week to the patrons with that
regularity which nowadays smacks much
of the proverbial ham and eggs Success
crowned his efforts and before long he
put out other organizations, which met
with favor, and then became interested in
several theaters, including the Bush, San
francisco. For number of years the
name of M. b. LeaVitt was identified with
various attractions, burlesque, speciality
and operate, and he acquired prestige
which at the height of his success seemed
to possess all the elements of permanency
His numerous enterprises fourished under
his own watchful eye, and he had a sys-
tenn of carrying on his business that was
as complete as the most exacting required
In commercial life. He had an expensive
but experienced staff of office and road
assistants. including Geo. w. Lederer, who
was manager of a road attraction; Ben
Leavitt, his brother, who was manager of
the Rentz-Santley, and Abe Leavitt, who
was the advance agent Of that organiza-
ton. 1t is scarcely eight years ago this
spring that IN. b." as he was famiIiarly
known, could be seen on 18th street, New
York, at his headquarters, on which even
then a mortgage was on the eve of ma
turing, busily engaged in directing a dozen
enterprises, surrounded by a corps of as
slstants, with correspondence stacked high
UP on the desks and the morning MAIL as
was his CUSTOM opened and scattered all
around the floor. Even then his star was
declining, and before the year was over
his credit was completely gone, and though
he struggled against reverses, he never
recovered, but was compelled to give I'D
everything, as his creditors would let him
own and control nothing. About all that
is left out of the wreck of brilliant man.
agerial career is the RentZ-S antley of
which his brother Abe assumed sole con-
troll, which he has managed for a number
of years with success. and out of which he
has made and put by a snug fortune 1t
Is an illustration of the irony of fate, es-
pecially when M. B." draws from the title
of ne 1o1
atty, and his other brother, Ben, who died
recently, left two theaterS and a comfort
able Inheritance to his wife and children
But 1t is no better illustration of the rule
that some succeed where others fail than
the bold stroke of Sam. T. Jack who was
at one time treasurer of Leavitt road
show, who took possession of the title of
Lilly Clay" and laid the foundation for
his career and fortune before M. B." could
turn around and institute proceedings
against him for taking liberties with an at
traction which he had practically given up
in despair.
Maurice Barrymore. the actor, wit and
raconteur has the sympathy Of friends
and Of all lovers of the good in stage life
Theater patrons the country round hope
that his mental vigor may be restored
Press dispatches this morning announced
that Mr.. Barrymore was yesterday after
noon committed to Belleview Hospital, New
York, pending an inquiry as to his sanity
He showed symptoms of failing health In
December, when as member Of the COM
pany of Miss Marie Burroughs, he forgot
his lines and acted strangely. Returning
to New York he went on the vaudeville
stage and in the recent agitation espousad
the cause of the White Rats. 1t is said that
he wrote letters, made interminable
speeches. and in neither class Of prOduc-
tiOnS w heth he
talking Of his disapprOval of managers or
Of the decadence of literature. His symp-
toms in the last ten days have been acute.
He recently returned to New York from
Of clothes Of the same design, which he
had purchased for $14 a suit.
During his performance last Thursday
night he stopped in his lines, and, advanc-
ing to the footiights, hurled hitter invective
until those in the audience held their
breath in astonishment. He began with
theatrical managers, and, as he warmed
to his theme, he reviled all races of men.
He announced that he was going to
Broadway chop house. Instead, ne went
to Coitsville, N. j., where he had been liv-
ing.
morning and told the story Of fight which
he had with a policeman on the Fort Lee
ferry boat. Incidentally he expressed the
opinion that he had killed a man who had
asked for his commitment.
SOUSA'S BAND CONCERT.-The pro-
gram numbers at the Sousa Band concert
at the National Theater yesterday afternoon
formed but about one-third Of the selee-
lions that were given the large audience
that filled the house. Six Of the regular
selections were new and demonstrated the
versatility and ability of this excellent body
of musicians over which Sousa Yields the
baton. They appealed to the music lovers
present and were literally applauded. Each
number was encored and to some there
were double encores, for, as matter Of
fact, the average person doesn't go to
Sousa concert for the program, but rather
for the encores. Sousa plays overtures.
fantasies, serenades. transcriptions, ETC.,
Just to show what the band is capable of
doing. but he knows that the audiences
want his marches and those lighter musi-
cal conceits which enable him to show
those peculiar mannerisms which have
made him famous; and yesterday he salts
fled his audience thoroughly, and the en-
cores were SO numerous that he and the
band had to make a great hustle to get to
Baltimore for an evening concert. The
soloists were the same as when Mr.. Sousa
was here earlier In the season. Arthur
Pryor has increased his mastery OF the
trombone and played with sweetness of
tone and facility of execution. Miss Buck
lin ts vfolinist who is always heard with
pleasure but Miss Duffieid,a yofce fz hard.