Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-08


Samuel X. Lauren, whose play
"Maid Marion" was written and
produced at Lakewood last summer
motored up from New York over
the weekend, with representatives
Of Brandt & Brandt. play agents
especially to see 1.-THE Man Who
Forgot" by Owen David and s. N
Behrman, given at Lakewood
previous to the New York opening
Mr.. Lauren is to return to Lake
wood later to work on a new play
he is writing.
Roy Clemens of "Aloma of the South
Seas" and "Alias The Deacon" two
big successes, written here, takes
great pride in his permanent sum-
mer home, and has had a pergola
erected. his large lawn resodded
and flower beds of pansies and
nasturtiums laid out, with flower
boxes along the porches. He drives
his speed boat, "Aloma" across the
waters at a thirty-five mile an hour
clip.
1.-THE Imaginative Girl" Is the
name of the play by Roy Briant
Lakewood summer resident, which is
to be produced by Edgar Selwyn in
New York at once. with Eric Dres-
sler, seen at Lakewood in THE Mar
Who Forgot" and 1.-THE Poor Nut,
In leading part. Others In the
cast are Tom Wise, John Miltern
William B. Mack and Dorothy Bur-
CESS. Miss Burgess played two
weeks at Lakewood in 1924.
Wednesday and Saturday nights
after the performance. are party
nights for the Lakewood actors and
actresses, since there is no re-
hearsal the following day. AL
gathered at one of the bungalows
put on an impromptu vaudeville
show and enjoy dancing and re-
freshments. 1t is real treat fol-
professionals who may be in
vited to join these groups, every
thing is so spontaneous.
Members of the company seldom
miss the Country Club dances, and
are happy to meet their friends from
across the footlights.
It is interesting to walk through
the lines of automobiles. a hundred
or more, parked outside the theatre
and note the license plates, which
are about half of Maine, the Other
half of all states.
New York and Boston papers have
been carrying many news notes and
articles about Lakewood and it's do.
ings. Now syndicated story or
Lakewood is being sent to many
newspapers in the East. The prin.
cipal point of interest is that it is
the oldest summer stock theatre II
America, being in existence for q
continuous years. The other attrac.
lions of lakewood will also receive
proper description.
Sam Wren, at Lakewood to handle
publicity and to act, finds himself il
a peculiar position. To some PEG
pie he is an actor, to others a pres!
agent, to others a business manager
because he has filed all those job:
but to many in New York he i:
considered an organizer, because o
the reputation he has built up, with
out realizing 1t, for managing bis
banquets and like affairs. Las
year he put on the annual dinne
and entertainment of The Actors
Theatre at the Hotel Aston, 500 PEG
pie attending.
Governor Ralph o. Brewster will
Mrs. Brewster and his staff made {
special trip from Augusta to honor
Lakewood, "The Playground Of Cen.
trail Maine" with official recognition
as being the foremost cultural ant
recreational development in Maine
it having the oldest summer stool
. ompany in America, being in contin.
uous operation rs seasons. This h
stated in most emphatic terms in hi:
speech before the curtain.
The gala performance was "ThC
Boomerang" the great David BelascC
comedy success, with Arthur Byron
in his original role Git being through
their friendship that the presenta.
ton at Lakewood was possible), ant
supported by Kathryn Keys, also
with the play during its three-yeal
New York run, Media Harrigan
Howard Lindsay, Walter C onnolly
Robert HUDSON, Bert Robinson, Dor
othy Stickney, James Bell, Broadway
people summering at Lakewood, anC
Kate and Eileen Byron, charming
daughters of a famous father, here
making their stage debuts.
After the play the governmental
party attended the Lakewood Coun-
try Club dance, which beautiful
building, the finest public dance pa
wilton in vacation land, has just beer
opened, and in which regular dances
are held each Tuesday and Friday
The Governor and his party were in
troduced and Economically danced
with many of those present.
The Governor brought with him
Philip Kicker Shorey, Publicity Di
rector of the State of Maine, who is
to prepare a complete story or
Lakewood and it's history for syndi-
cation, with photographs, not only
through the newspapers of this state
but < throughout the United States
Governor Brewster enthusiastically
said that he feels the world should
know of this modern example Of
Emerson's adage: IF a man writes a
better play or a finer book or manu-
facturers better mouse trap, ever
though he build his house in the
woods, the world will beat a track
to his door,"
A large crowd greeted the State
executive, even though the visit fol-
lowed the three-day Fourth of Jul,
holiday, when all Lakewood records
were broken.
A luncheon party had been giver
Tor Mrs. Brewster at noon at the Ar
cadia Tea Room.
Grace Valentine, famous Broadway
comedienne, also arrived, and ex-
poets to try out her next seasons
vehicle here. Ben Roeder, Belascc
general manager, is coming to SEE
this remarkable place. Don Mar
quis has taken cottage at Lakewood
FOR the summer and is here doing all
MS writing. He expects to appea,
IN his own comedy hit 1.-THE OLD
Soak" at Lakewood. and his wife
Marjorie Vonnegut, will be guest ar
tlst In To-day" next week, being Ar.
thur Byron's leading woman. Estelle
Garter, actress wife of Rollin Kirby
Is also lending her talents. They are
rusticators. George Middleton play
wright, and his actress wife, Foia La
foliete, daughter of the late Senator
are expected. Lakewood visitors and
OF u