New-York tribune., 1922-10-29
Music Box
Revue and
!; Mechanics
Hassard Short Talks About
How II Is Done and of
Lights, Traps and Steel

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He talked Of counterwelghts, of lifts
OF steel trussed curtains, Of scrotos, OF
traps, OF l,ooo-watt lights, Of heights,
OF distances, of time-saving devices
for striking and setting scenery, OF
the many special mechanical advan-
tages which the Music Box enjoys. A
chat with Hassard Short and tho pop
ular conception that artists are inn
practical, unmeehapical and inefficient
wac sent kiting into nothingness far
above the sheater's stage, humming
with the noises Of actors rehearsing
new scenes. carpenters hammering
rhythmically away at props, and electri-
clans working over lights. One almost
forgot the man was responsible for the
unusual. spectacular, and artistic stage
pictures. He impressed one more as a
skilled mechanical engineer with an in
sentive and restless mind.
Perhaps the proper combination of
artistic and mechanical talents in Has
sard Short accounts for the success
which he has gained in the field of the
: theater which he has chosen for him
SELF. This theory was suggested to
: him and he smiled modestly.
Zone needs to be almost as much a
s diplomat as director to stage revue
As elaborate as this one" said the man
who has staged the second annual
Music Box Revue" at Irving Berlin's
! Music Box, production which gives
every indication Of equalling the re-
markable record set up by it's prede~
cessor. "About week before the
opening time the members of your
company become nervous and worried.
{ The time for cutting has come and
they fear that their specialties and
numbers are to be eliminated. 1t takes
mice balancing to keep them contented
and At"
There is material proof that Mr..
) Short has done as we'll as a stage dip
lomat as he has as director. Last
year the members Of the cast of the
first Music Box Revue" presented him
with silver loving cup and this years
company has presented silver cigarette
cases to both him and Mr.. Berlin.
Naturally have come to regard
these things as an indication Of the
spirit which prevails in this theater
and which every member in every de-
partment feels. That, I think, is the
largest single item in explaining why
5se have done so we'll here" Mr.. Short
explained with trace of pride.
- The Music Box Revue" is the first
musical production Of it's size to open
,"cold" in New York. "Cold" is show
mans expression. meaning no prelim-
: mary out-of-town performances. Last
year he was not so fortunate. He said
that he found there was too much show
and the problem was to cut down and
eliminate and yet to provide full
evenings entertainment. The running
order also had TO be rearranged.
= eve have taken the Diamond Horse
; shoe scene out Of the second act and
dnade it the finale Of the first. Such a
: scene improperly placed might hurt a
6 revue more than help it, 1t is such
an elaborate scene that nothing could
follow it, but ! think we've got it in the
right place now. Bobby Clark is to
: have two additional scenes and perhaps
s a comedy song. In producing a revue
u believe that the stars who take part
as we'll as the public must be satisfied.
It they are not, blame myself. We
must prepare for them.
ANY one with imagination should be
able TO stage Irving Berlin's numbers.
They lend themselves remarkably to
s-eteative stage work. Take. for example.
,shis auction number, his bird number
5this year, aad his dinner number in
3 Cast years show. 1t was q pleasure to
G work them out on the stage. Sam Har-
rss comes in the last week of rehears-
als with his keen showman's mind
~sresh and he tells you where you have
erred. One cannot help but succeed
working under such conditions"