The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-02-25
AUSPICIOUS
OPENING FOR
FOX'S LYRIC
Many Turned Away From Play
house on Inauguration of
New Policy
Mayor Wilson F Formally Launches
Enterprise - Enthusiastic
Reception for Vaude-
vile Offerings

william FOX -tdAyT1c IneaLre was
suspicious is to but describe the sensi-
tive and sIeekly groomed and winning
race horse as a ''trotter." It was a
momentous occasion in the vaudeville
era. of Bridgeport and as one turned
to scrutinize the immense audience
which stood far back beyond the last
row of seats, when the curtain arose
those present distinctly impressed one
with the critical ordeal to which those
performing at the playhouse for the
first time would be subjected.
The theatre, having been partly
renovated during the two weeks which
have lapsed since negotiat tons were
to gallery with bunting and the flags
Of the various nations, and with a
delicate amber glow from the cleo
troliers harmonized favorably with the
deep wine Of the newly installed tor
mentors.
Promptly on the announced hour of
opening the curtain rose and ex-Mayor
q. T. Buckingham, legal representa-
tive in this city. for the Fox interests
stepped to the center and read short
telegram of regret from Mr.. Fox at
not being permitted to come in per-
son and assure his patrons of a pro
gressive policy and novel offerings
contemplated for their pleasure.
After a short speech in which he
paid high tribute to Mr.. Fox and those
associated with him in the theatrical
world, the Esx-Mayor introduced May
the strains of the "Star Spangled Ban
ner" which brought the audience to
it's feet, awaited until all were seated
when in behalf of Bridgeport he ex-
Fpressed thanks to those who had
added both to the business and pleas
ure of this city, expressed his de-
ment would be fulfilled, as he felt
sure they would, and welcomed the
advent Of the new circuit
Several attractions being added at
a.
| the program became necessary and
Crumbley and Glass two black-face
porter specially which was we'll re-
| ceived giving them three runs and
! four bows.
The TWO Singing Girls, in a delicate
1y eostumed and harmonious render
ing. OF romance and melody pleased
greatly.
ing, Hugh Herbert & Company in a
serio- comedy sketch, entitled "Son of
Solomon then graced the boards with
a combination of pleasing hunor in
terspersed throughout a tenseIy acute
dramatic situation, portrayed by
talent above the ordinary. A short
Pathe- picture broke the sequence of
I = Grace sDeMar, an ingenuous. en-
BRANCHING Ind Seductive: irnitator Of
fered a variety of pantomirne and song
which stirred the spectators to en-
| thusiaszn and in four changes brought
her forth for repeated bows. Her
/ Iy elegant
In an excellent exposition of grand
opera singing on the vaudeville stage
Cecilia Rhoda and George Crompton
Eheld their auditors in subsection re-
ceiving four curtains at the finale.
An artistic rendering of parlor en-
WahI-Jackson trio at the piano. Their
Indulgence in both elite and popular
harmonies excelled.
Walton &c Brant, an added attrac-
n a
off on the great American game drew
well.
Leach LaQuin1an Trio, who appear
ed for the occasion only offered an
acrobatic act little short of marvellous.
A Lubin film completed the entertain
ment
AS a whole the bill was one offering
a prodigious number of odd, artistic
and elegant vardevillian specialties.
If the present standard is maintained
the new amusement acquisition cannot
fail to establish its hold upon the
thea tre-going public. With slight
changes in it's efght-piece orchestra,
Edward Shield, and a continuance of
the present program as promised by
General Manager Charles A. Levine
and John Zanft, the personal repre-
sentative of William Fox, all that can
be desired in popular priced vaudeville
has been attained.
Last nights performance may be
said to be one of the finest every seen
in Bridgeport.
Among those noted in the audience
were: Mayor c. B. Wilson, former
Mayor E. T. Buckingham, Senator
Archibald Mcneil, Jr., City Clerk and
Mrs. s. F. Boucher, Former Fire Com
missioner J. D. Hartigan, Police Com
missioner George S. Hill, Mr.. and Mrs.
J. M. Lund, Attorney w. w. Bent,
Frederick H. Stevens, Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank W. Bo1ande, James L. McGov-
ern, Mr.. and Mrs. J. Edward Elliott.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert M. Sperry, Mr.
and Mrs. w. H. Isham.s Albert M
Starr, Al. Burdick. Among the thea
trical men present were John Zanft,
terests; General Manager Levine of
the Fox circuit; Samuel Kingston of
the Academy of Music of New York;
A. J. Mates of the Fox advertising
department of New York; Ben Jack
son of the Grand Opera house of New
Haven; James Hennessey of New Ha-
ven; Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis D. GarVey,
Thomas F. FftzsimInons of New Ha-
ven, Senator Joseph H. Whitconb,
Senator Ci M. Newman, Representa-
tive Lynn w. Wilson, Henry Waters,
Bernard Heating, Jr., Judge E. F. Hal
len, Probate Clerk Harry Lyons, Fire
Commissioner George Burns, Leo
| WhaIey. w. A. Lewis, Alderman Will
liam J. Moran, Frederick J. Voos, Jr.,
Thomas w. Brady, Stephen J. Meaney,
Tax Collector Bernard F. Cooney, As
SCISSOR Frank J. Hughes, Howard F.
Smith, Director of Public Works J.
A. Courtade, Clifford Bruce and many
more.
At an informal banquet held in the
private dining rooms of the Hotel
Stratfield, until a late hour this morn
ing, the management, performers and
| several prominent city officials were
| again RECALLED with choice bits of
| sparkling fun, as well as an elaborate
| repast, extemporiarily offered during
and after courses by the guests pres
| emit who included Ex-Mayor E. T.
| Ruc inghan, John Zanft, Charles A.
| Levine, general manager of the Fox
| circuit; Samuel Kingston, manager of
| Fox's Academy of Music in New
! York: Mr.. and Mrs. L. D. Carney Mr..
| and Mrs Taylor Granville, A. J. Mat
| ties and J. J.. Hennessey of New Ha-
ven, Mr.. and Mrs. w. H. Isham, Earl
\ Christie, Edward ThiIlas, Margaret
/ Williams, Grace DeMar, Thomas
| Everett, Victor Stone, Dorothy Wahl.