New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-11
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Will Morrissey Quit
Steel Construction for
Job of Riveting Smiles

~ H1LE pneumatic riveting ma
:" chimes pounded overhead q
modest little stock company IN.
a Harlem theater was trying to re-
hearse new play for its repertory.
The director beat his temples and tore
his hair. The louder he spoke the less
able was he to hear his voice. 1t was
impossible to proceed. Either the
riveting would have to cease or the
rehearsal would have to be called for
another time. Would Will Morrissey
call off his riveters and allow the en-
semble to proceed? He would, if the
director would pay his men 60 cents
an hour. Willingly the latter paid
the noisemakers and they hurried off
to enjoy their unexpected liberty-all
except Morrissey. He remained be-
hind to become better acquainted with
the director of the rehearsal.
That was in the days when Will
Morrissey was William J. Morrissey,
civil engineer and steel contractor.
You didn't know that Will Morrissey,
comedian, had studied civil engineer
ing at Stevens Institute and at Cooper
Union, did you? Nor, perhaps, were
you aware of the fact that after
graduation he was engaged in steel
erection work. Those were Morrissey's
men at work on that Harlem theater.
They were putting in girder when
they were sent happily on their way.
The same evening Will Morrissey was
a super" in the stock company's pro-
duction and the next day civil engi-
neering and steel construction were
things of the past in the life of the
man who elaborated in the writing
OF the book and lyrics, wrote the
music and produced at the Casino
Theater "Buzzin' Around"
And as if supervision of the stag
ing, selection of costumes and man.
agement of business details were not
enough, he plays the principal comedy
role in the production.
But that typifes Will Morrissey. He
is not at his best unless he has count
less obstacles to overcome, obstacles
that would floor any ordinary man of
the theater. His idea of perfect day
would be to get up early in the morn
ing, rehearse four or five plays, act
IN one at night and then spend three
or four hours writing a new one.
If you don't think Will Morr;ssev
has had to overcome obstacles think
back little to the time when he was
one of the chief comedians entertain.
ing the men of the A. E. F. His
heartening work over there finished he
came back to the United States with
just SO in his pocket and a plentiful
amount of ambition. He proceeded n
organize company of PLAYERS nro-
vided them with musical show. and
then, borrowing carfare, took them to
hartford. For three weeks they PLAYED
before "Toot Sweet" Caught ON and
for three weeks the sixty-three actors
and actresses went unpaid. Only
Morrissey's unfailing good humor and
Wit kept up the morale of the oreani-
cation and when the play arrived in
Chicago it ran for seventeen success
fui weeks. 1t was a gamble, and
Morrissey is not one to retire when
1t comes to putting ones trust in the
wheel Of chance.
Morrissey thinks that the average
sneasergoer is being neglected in the
present day development of the drama
and accordingly is trying to develop q
type OF entertainment which will meet
tue needs OF the portion Of the popu-