The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-09-06
norman HACKFTT
IN LEADING ROLE
TAKES MOST PROMINENT PART
IN THE CITY," HERE SEPT.
II. SPENT SUMMER HERE
IN CALUMET

when Clyde Fitch's last and great
est play, "The City" is presented here
Tor the first time on Monday evening.
sept. IL, at the Calumet theatre. local
theater-goers will see In the leading
role that sterling young actor, Nor
man racket, who has been specially
engaged by the Shuberts for the ex-
acting part of George Rand, Jr. MIR.
Hackett Will be particularly well re-
membered by the residents OF Calu-
met and vicinity as some years ago
he conducted summer stock com
pany for an entire season In this
city and achieved much success with
it.
The part impersonated by Mr..
Hackett in The city" is probably the
longest speaking role in any of the
Fitch dramas, anu in fact, i'm the
modern drama at large; and the sell
ection of this actor to portray this
character is in itself an evidence of
the producers high regards for his
ability.
His success has been rapid and
substantial, based upon conscientious
preparation and careful training. A
native of Detroit, he first came into
prominence in local amateur theatre
calls, and had he followed the custo-
mary evolution of amateur into pro-
fessional, without further schooling,
IL would perhaps have taken him
many more years than il has to
achieve so large a measure of sue
cess. But young Hackett had judg-
ment, and he reasoned that the bet
ter he could equip himself intelectu-
ally the more certain would be his
triumph on the stage. Accordingly.
he entered the University of Michigan
at Ann Arbor and was graduated with |
honors in the literary course. While |
a student there he attracted the at |
tention of the late Mile. Rhea, the cell |
ebrated French actress, who gave him |
his first opportunity as professional |
the role of Eugene in her memora-
able production of Josephine" AZ |
ter two years with Rhea, he received |
the benefit of several years of rigid |
training in the classics with Louis |
James, the James -Kidder- Warde |
combination, Modjeska, Sothern and |
Marlowe, Robert Mantell and James |
O'Neill. He has appeared i'm no less
than fourteen Shakespearean produce
lions, besides the old English come
dies and other classics: and there is
no young actor on the stage today
who possesses a more mature
broader experience in the legitimate
and classic drama.
Realizing, however, that the pub
lie no longer cared for the classics as |
amusement, Mr.. Hackett turned to
modern plays, and il speaks volumes
for his adaptabiity and innate talent |
to record that his work in the mod
ern drama has been triumphant and
he is now considered by competent
critics one of the most promising
young actors of our generation. His
brilliant performance of the hero in
Classmates" in which he starred for
two seasons all over the United States
with remarkable success, and in
Beau Brummel, "Mans6eld's famous
role, proved that the several summers
OF rigid discipline i'm stock company
work, which he insisted upon passing
through, had eradicted every trace of
the classic method and had placed him
in an enviable position to undertake
the portrayal of modern characters.
Mr.. Hackett is also well known in
this country as an able lecturer and
writer on the drama and kindred top
les. Such universities as Cornell
Michigan, Minnesota, California, Vir-
ginia, Illinois. Hobart, Purdue and
many others, as well as numerous
high schools and selected literary So
cieties, have honored him. and in turn
have been honored by having him adj
dress them upon current subjects per-
tanning to the stage.
An unusual event was Mr.. Hack
etts presentation of Classmates" in
the Gree theatre of the University of
California, at Berkeley where Maude
Adams recently acted Rosalind I'm "As
You Like It. and Margaret Anglin
gave "Antgone" Hackett was the
sixth star to appear in this famous
stadium and his play was tho first
modern piece to be presented there.
Mr. Hackett is very popular among
college fraternity men, as he Is a
prominent member of the Theta Delta
Chi and Lambda sigma fraternities