The Washington herald., 1922-11-09
ALBEE PROMISES
THEATER IN DC.
FOR VAUDEVILLE
Delegation Returns From
Dedication of Cleve-
land Playhouse.

Promise Of new theater building
which will be an international CEN
ter for vaudeville and a distinct ac-
quisition to washington's artistic
buildings, is made by Z. +. Albee.
president of the B. F. Keith thea
ters. News that such a structure Is
contemplated was brought to wash
ington by Roland S. Robbins. local
manager for Keith's, who headed
the District delegation in attendance
at the opening of the new Palace
Theater in Cleveland Monday night.
Members of the Washington party
returned late Tuesday.
Governors from eight States, ev-
erybody of consequence in the the
atrical world who could be present
from Elsie Janis to Haywood
Broun. Don Marquis and others of
the foremost dramatic critics in the
country-political. social and civic
leaders Of Ohio and adjoining States.
attended the inaugural performance
in the Middle-western metropolis
Monday In all. four train loads of
celebrities served at the opening of
the finest theater in the world"
washingtonians who made the jour-
ney were unanimous in their use OF
show-house which has been erected
in homer of B. F. Keith. the man
who developed vaudeville to the
high place 1t now holds in American
life.
Theater Cost x5,O00.OOO.
Erected at a cost of $4,000. 900, the
new Palace Theater has been de-
clared as by far and large the most
aaI Aan a 1ta in
the world. Housed in a twenty
two-story building that in itself is
described as the most perfect in
Clevland, the thester Is the embodi-
ment of all that can be asked for
in a structure of its purpose
New York. where these things
arc supposed to be well done. has
nothing to compare with the new
Cleveland theater in richness and
costliness of furnishings and in
general eye-filling beauty. Nor has
any European theater, as travellers
will tell you. such prodigal wealth
and luxury of interior was the
statement of one of the Washington
representatives present at the in
itial performance.
In this Cleveland playhouse they
beat the world as surely. and in
much the same way. as Ziegfeld's s
'Follies' beats the world. A lavish
ness. a disregard of money and a
care and taste have gone into II
that make the tneater unique
among show places
Structure Beggars Description.
Words are pale symbols for the
richness and luxury that meet the
eye in this new playhouse. but they
will have to do. Finest marbles,
carefully matched and wonderful In
design. such as would adorn a Ro-
man palace. are conspicuous In the
outer lobby-and the inner parts
are even more wonderful is the de-
scription of the palace.
The Cleveland theater will seat
$3.50 persons. Tapestries. bronzes.
sculptured marbles and oil paint
ings. collected from all parts of the
world. adorn its foyer and retiring
rooms. Huge chandeliers serve
practical and artistic purposes in
carrying out lighting effects.
Dressing rooms equipped with
private baths. cIubrooms for the
actors, special facilities for stage
hands and all the latest develop
ments in theatrical equipment fea-
ture the building
No announcement of when WASH
ington can hope for a duplicate of
the Cleveland structure has been
made by the Keith's local officers.