New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-15
GAYNOR OPENS THEATRE
Mayor Speaks for Clean Drama
in City's First yiddlSh House.
HIGH PRAISE FOR EAST SIDE
Big Audience Goes Wild with APP
plause-"God, Man and Devil
the First Piece.

plause-"God. Man and Devil
the First Piece.
The first theatre in New York to be de-
voted exclusively 70 the Yidd'sh drama
was opened last night with the dedi-
cation by Mayor Gaynor of David Kes Ter :
new playhouse, az Second avenue and I'd
street
After looking around for a few seconds
in a vain search for the key to the theatre
that was 10 be presented to him. so that
he might turn II over 70 mally to the actor
manager. Mayor Gaynor took the oppor-
tunity to give his views on drama and to
express the hope that only clean plays
would be produced in this new theatre. lie
said
II l had the key Mr.. Kessler. as the
programme SAYS. | would give il 70 YOU.
and I would also say 10 YOU. sir that while
you are the lessee Of this theatre you go
and lock that outer door up tight with
that key sooner than to let anything foul
or indecent in the way Of plays enter this
theatre. Hold the drama Up honor the
PEE pie that come here 10 take an interest
In the drama.
peorle IN the city Of New York now, Of
base mind. dealing with the drama. that
only wart to pull il down in the mud. and
/ hope this viii never occur within the
walls Of this theatre. II never will as long
as the people OF the East SIDE remain
what they are now-pure in mind. aspiring
70 adv"nce in the world, pure OF heart and
with on artistic ternnera r1ent.
l tell YOU that since the beginning or
the world art and filth never went hand In
hand never. Ard they never viii Look
AZ the pieces PLAYED by Bonnie by Won
Sonnenthal. and Rachael and Bernhardr
actresses because they played legitimate
D!svs PLAYS flled with morality ard
Ceri"s which did not degrade the COM
nunity but, while they elevated US NOR
tals a'most. as the saving is. 10 the skies
trou"ht anTels down and purified the
minds CT everybody
That that is the future Of this thaat ire
IS the hone which l now express IN de-
YOU. Mr.. Kessler.
The new theatre has been called the
PLAYHOUSE II the East side. and II was
the East Side that celebrated its opening
and thronsed the entrances that were
barred 70 the crowds unable TO get admit
lance into an auditorium seating two thou
sand persons. Second avenue seemed agog
with excitement. and the Gordon Of police
around the playhouse was kept busy TO
keep the passage open. Neighboring bust
ness places were gavly decorated. and the
avenue showed a festive attire
Inside the theatre displayed its new
glory unveiled by special adornment Gray
and silver are Its sutdued effects on a lack
ground of reddish brown. Only the box
reserved for the Mayor was draped with
the Mayors banner, a howery Welcome
to Our Mayor" and AVerican and Zion
flags.
When the curtain rose the audience be-
held the company that viii support David
Kessler in the presentations Of Yiddish
dramas Joseph Barondess, the master Of
ceremonies. made a speech in Yiddish, tell
ing the audience of the struggle that Kess-
Ter had to achieve his dream Of a play
house devoted exclusively 70 Yiddish drama
and Of the duty that devolved upon the
East Side 10 keep this theatre for that art.
Mayor Gaynor arrived early. and amid
the cheers he walked leisurely through the
long lobby. stopping a moment to pat rudy
faced little Gertrude Hirsch. whose big eyes
rested curiously upon him. After watch
ing the ceremonies for a while from his
box the Mayor descended TO the stage.
and was applauded enthusiastically by the
audience
He was introduced by Mr.. Barondess
with an allusion 10 last years unfortunate
happening and an assertion that be had
completely recovered now. And Mayor
Gavnor said that he was glad 10 verify
by his personal appearance the statement
that he was in good health and that he
would feel excellent except for the fact
that his tongue had not Strengthened itse-t
completely.
When he expressed the wish that he
could speak Yiddish the audience went
wild and when he added that he now
could take it back, because he had found
that the people not only could understand
Ylddish but also see a point, there was
sill more applause. He spoke, In part as
follows:
This theatre really is astonishing. Ther'
are certain people In this great CITY WI,
think that the East Side IS SORT OF sum
on how much they do sympathize VIII
Won and how much a year some OF them ar
having for sympatnlzlng with you VS.
tbev were all here tonight 10 listen 70 tnl'
play -. .C,,s Az, az.
r,eyil Now. that Is d pretty comprehen
sfve play 1t takes in everything nothing j
left ont I think. after oeins dayoi Ioi
[,car and a half that l could almost write a
trouble though. very often. is 20 distinguish
the man from the devil. They look a gOoC
deal alike sometimes and act a good dea
alike too.
The Mayor said that the YiGdish theatre
should prove a success because the Jews
were a dramatic race and had an instinc
for good plays and good music.
The exercises were finished with speeches
bv George Kelster the architect; George +
Johnson. the builder Of the theatre, AM
David Kessler The chorus and the actors
sang "Mizmor shirchanuks Habais,' The
song Of dedication Of the temple.
The first play presented was God Maj
and Devil" four-act drama with pro
lorue by the late Jacob Gord!n. who wa
considered rho foremost Yiddsh drdinatist
REGINALD WARD a BANKRUPT