The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-03-23
AS Coach Of Their Musical
Comedy Production to Be
Put onApril Z and 8. &

Many great successes have been
realized, too numerous to mention.
hut it Is doubtful, locally speaking.
II ever 9 greater success was ever dc
icomplished than the signing Of Dab
fney Lee Smith. as coach of the Elks'
musical comedy production. entitled
Maid in Clarksburg." which is to
tbe produced at the Robinson Grand
ION the evenings of April z and s.
/ This worthy feat was accomplished
through the efforts Of A. J. Smith, a
ii brother Of Dabney Lee Smith. and
III Percy Byrd, chairman OF the Elks'
entertainment committee. who made
3 flying trip to New York in his eff
forts to secure this famous stage
\ manager.
II the past record and accomplish
{meRts of 5Dabney Lee Smith are to be
taken as a criterion for the Maid IN
Harrisburg musical production. its
success is entirely guaranteed as his
career behind the footlights has been
quite successful one. It Is doubt
flu IL the Big Time has better
stage manager than Mr.. Smith
Mr.. Smith is a native of Clarks-
burg. remembered throughout the
4 older social circles and by many OF
the old time residents. and is yet
quite young mamie having left his
native heath when but youngster.
for better orsw orsc behind the foot
flights.
Leaving Clarksburg i'll the sum
meT Of 1902. Mr.. Smith spent his
first tHo years as a member of the
tsical comedy entitled Girls Will BE
Girls, Z and his second year with Lew
Lew Fields famous musical comedy
/ 1T Happened in Nordland. The fol-
flowing year, the misfortune of an
Eother turned out to be the fortune OF
Mr.. Smith. as Charles Mitchell, stage
/ nanagsr for Fields production. Be
hind the Counter. was taken sick
and Mr.. Smith secured this promo
@ton. besides doing character part
lin the production.
f Following this year Lew Fields
4 made him stage manager of Mid
Night Sons. His great success with.
this show prompted SIR. Fields TO ap-
point Mr.. Smith stage manager OF ali
his productions Shortly after when
Weber and Fields joined together
again he was made stage mana ger
Eof the Weber Jubilee COMPANY.
| III the year 1912 Mr.. Smith was
given an interest In The Sun Doi
gers and also was stage manager
| for this production, the cast includ-a
II ID
eventful more so in this year was the
marriage of Mr.. Smith. this being not
without considerable romance. The
present Mrs. Dabney Lee Smith was
doing a dancing sketch in the music
+ al comedy entitled the June Bride.
ITO make a long story short. Mr..
Smith could not wait until June so.
he did it in December and immedi-
!ately signed up with the Moss En-
ipires. Ltd. of London. Eng This
company being the Klaw and Err
Hanger, Of England. Mr.. Smith pro-
duced the American style of musical
comedy in London. introducing the
American rag-time into England.
| Following this Mr.. Smith went to
Hamburg. Germany. accepting con-
tract there to produce a.. condensed
version of the review. of the London
opera House. this being the first
time an English speaking play was
ever presented to- a German audi.
ence.
at the outbreak Of the present Flu.
ropean war he was back in London.
as stage manag ger Of the Palace The
ater Company. which company was
presenting Elsie Janis in the Pass
ing Show This famous American
actress was received in London bet
ter than any American actress. She
was repeatedly cheered and cheeredi
at each and every performance.
Mr.. Smith at the outbreak of the
war held contracts for four months
in Germany and two years in Paris.
but these contracts we're rendered
Iimpossib1e IN account OF the present.
war. On account OF the theatrical
business as a whole being ruined for
1.-THE present abroad Mr.. Smith sailed
! for New York and immed iately upon.
his arrival there was ~ successfully
for the production Of the Maid IN
Clarksburg'' musical show to be
staged by; the. local Elks. AFTER.
eng this performance he will re-
turn to New York to accept a large
contract.