The Washington times., 1915-05-23


Morosco. Burbank Theater, Los Angeles,
Cal. Reply will probably come to them
by express because of the exigencies OF
the postal laws-if any reply comes at
all. But oliver Morosco can testify to
the existence of American playwrights
He knows exactly l.116 more of them,
by correspondence, than he knew three
months ago-and his acquaintance at
that time was extensive.
Three months ago Morosco wore sat
isfied smile-the smile that was proper
for a young Lochinvar. who had stolen
in from the West and departed hastily
with what he thought to be the petted
child of the Eastern theatrical magnates
-Success-seated on the observation
platform beside him Now he isn't so
sure that ne wasn't a Don Quixote In
stead of Lochinvar. and that tho ialr
maid he kidnapped wasn't a dummy stuff
led with green goods. Not that OllVer
hasn't been highly successful. He has
But events of the last three months
would make him believe there are 'curd-
Ang possibilities to success or whlch ne
never dreamed.
Just three months ago Morosco an
nounced. In the fullness Of his over
flowing spirits. that he believed In the
unsung playwriting genius, and that he
the playwrights whose names have not
only not been inscribed on the dramatic
scroll Of fame, but whose addresses are
known to only to the persons handling
the mailing lists that are utilized for
sending out rejected manuscripts. The
undiscovered genius was what Morosco
was after.
1t might be remarked in passing that
up to date Morosco has discovered more
playwriting genius for practical pur-
theatrical
ager of his managerial years in the
business. Hence his enthusiasm. The
nrst three months that elapsed after the
Morosco invitation was shot through the
veins of the postal system contained
just ninety days. On each of those
ninety days. including Sundays and holi-
days, the Morosco First Aid to Play
wrighting Asylum received twelve and
the total being exactly Lie! And the
mails are growing heavier every day!
Out of this Ills plays just twenty nine
have been found to contain enough
merit to justify their production-a little
more than per cent. 1f the proper
tion of successes come out of the tWen-
ty-nne sheep thGs segregated from the
dramatic goats that is usual in the thea
ter, there will probably be at least three
plays that will run more than the week
of their original production
At the same time Morosco is doing a
big thing in his play reading bureau
and the fact of the small percentage of
possible successes. Ehould not and will
not discourage him from continuing his
enterprise!
One of the most difficult things put
up to Washington theater goers for
some months past will be getting used
to the absence of Louis J. Fosse from
his familiar pose beside the ticket taker
at the Poll Theater where. as manager
OF the house, he was accustomed to well
come the patrons every day and every
evening. PlaysUers became accustomed
to seeing the rotund form and the warm
welcoming smile. and entered the house
to rwait the show with the feeling of
being the very welcome guests of an
Unusually kindly host. y
'lhe principal characteristic of Fosse-
one that has made him remembered
everywhere he has been-is that he
oroad-minded chap with the readiest
sort of d smile and the most helpful
kind Of a hand, he numbered practical
~ every oh patron as real friend.
Professionally he entered upon the
management of the Poll interests here
at a time when unusual conditions were
to be faced. when the full force of the
shsatrical depression that extended
throughout the country, hit the locaI
field. He made his theater a most at.
tractive spot. He built up one of the
best stock organizations In the countr,
which he turned over to his successor
J. N. Conen, in most hourishing state
Last night on the stage the full extent
OF the Poll employers estimate of theil
manager was shown in a little informal
gathering of the members of the COM
pal.y who bade him farewell and pre-.
sented him with very, handsome re.
membrance. The stage hands followed
the actors with another gift.
The new manager, Mr.. Conen, is ar
= n n W 40 hao Ct, ltd . ~
interests OF the city from boyhood and
is regarded as peculiarly fitted to take
UP the duties assigned him.
II 1t will help the theatergoers under
stand her carefree. happy just-to-p be-
living attitude toward things in general
1t might be stated that Peggy Wood
Is the only young woman who is on
record as stepping straight from the
doors of a penitentiary into a prima
donna role!
Miss Wood. you understand. had been
entertaining the people of New York
for the entire season in George NJ
Cohan's newest musical comedy, Hello
Broadway" Warden Osborne, of Sing
Sing, heard her sing. and thought Sc
much of 1t that he asked her to be his
guest for a day at Sing Sing. Most of
the people that are Mr.. Osborne's guests
come without his asking them. so 1t Will
be seen what an unusual honor was
extended Miss Wood
Therefore. just a week ago last Mon
day, Miss Wood left her apartment in
New York, Joined Ryan Walker. the
cartoonist, at the Grand Central Sta
ton, and journeyed up the Hudson to
Sing Sing. where she sang and told
stories to 1900 convicts. That Warden
Osborne and the convicts appreciated her
efforts is proved by a letter she received
this week from them all collectively, IN
which they inform her that If they could
have her with them in the pententiary
all the time. Warden Osborne's estab-
lishment would become the most popu-
lar place of amusement in New York
State.
Speaking Of prima donnas doing un-
usual things. who is there who heard
Eileen Castles sing, and saw her act
the part of Sylvia in The Man Who
Owns Broadway" at the National la ST
week would believe that last Monday
night was the first time that young
woman ever spoke line on the stage
in her life?
Yet that Is fact Miss Castles has
been doing plain and fancy prima
donna-ing in this country and Europe
for the past Ave or six years and vet
she never spoke a line on the stage
until last Monday night when she ma de
her first entrance in the George NJ
Miss Castles is a native Of Australia
and her parents were Irish-whiCh eX-
plains the bit of a brogue with which