The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-25
1T IS COLD HERE.
At Least Theatrical Manager
So Declared.
Nothing Like Tt in Polar Re-
giOns for a Great Show.

Topeka, though far from the frigid
zone, is accommodating among managers
the name of being the coolest city on
the theatrical map. Occasionally
some misguided person breakes into
print with the astounding statement
that "theatrically, Topeka is waking
up" or the visionary announcement
that Topeka has found her musical
self" All to no avail. What's the
matter with Topeka? Managers bring
their fur lined overcoats to the Grand
and await a freeze
This week one of the greatest liv-
ing divas sang in Topeka. Everybody
knows her-even the youngsters who
read the Victrola ads. Conditions
looked Acknowledgements auspi-
cious. Calve was bringing the only
grand opera We'll have this year
with the exception of 1.-The Barber of
Seville which was a matinee, and
1.-The Bohemian Girl" to be sung in
English. The town is full of politi-
clans and their wives. Did everybody
go? No. Scattered groups in the
Grand greeted the prima donna with
genteel pit-pat of applause. She
sang the Observation-Disclosures con-
nected with her name in the antipodes.
Spasmodic clapping demanded a short
encore, and everything was still. And
Calye has sung in the Metropolitan
oper-G house when the galleries
stamped, screamed and whistled,
when women in boxes rose and fut-
tered their handkerchiefs in frantic
appreciation of a stupendous art.
Perhaps Topeka wants the drama.
Take an example of several years
ago-one which impressed the writer
immensely. That was ALA Nazimova
in the DOLLS House." Nazimova came
to Topeka after a phenomenally sue
cessful season in New York. Society |
buzzed about the exotic little Russian
who was discovered in Bowery thea |
ter. learned English in six months, and |
captured Broadway by storm. When |
Nazimova played in the Comet" she |
had the stage to herself for five min
utes. and didn't say word. The |
audience in the old Bijou thcater |
hung forward, GREATNESS to see what |
this remarkable woman would do. |
Women sobbed Historically in the |
"DOll'S House" and the Master Build |
err Well, Madame Nazimova came to |
Topeka-once, never again. The house |
was half full unenthusiaStic, and |
trailed home in a disappointed way.
Perhaps Topeka wants musical COM
edy.
the wall Street Girl There's nothing
especially elevating about Blanche
Ring. but she stands for good deal in
her profession. Kansas City went wild |
over her-in the second act she an
swered repeated shouts for encore by
Got Rings on My Fingers" and other
gems. That was the feature of the
performance Topeka didn't get it, be-
cause it didn't applaud.
A few days ago a famous melodra-
matte farce came to Topeka. The Grand
did rushing business. The audience
glanced about with approval and
chirped, What an excellent houser'
But the manager of the show sat in an
automobile box, folded his arms and
pondered. There wasn't any snap to
the thing. Say" he whispered to a
Topeka theatrical man. what the dick
ems is the matter with this placer
It's the same way at the vaudeville
houses-even the good ones. The acts
drag. The house sits silent-cold and
critical as an audience of ice.
1.-The Middle Westerners are the most
theater- going people in the United
States, also the best read on the
drama said a recent article in the
Dramatic Mirror ito what this is due
I cannot determine unless it is as Bliss
Perry brings out in his book The
American Mind We must look to the
Middle West mind of America, to the
individualism, the literature, and the
art produced in the great Mississippi
Valley, for the expression of the true
american mind
The writer of that article pays a very
delicate compliment to the middle
western states, but he has never been
in Topeka. Topeka. according to the
theatrical managers, stands unique and
alone-like unto no other city in the
universe.