The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-07-21
In New York
By PAUL HARRISON


 New York.-Tanned and healthy, it, lots of actors and actresses are coming in from the hills these days. some of them have to hitch hike back to Broadway.
 They're refugees from blighted summer theaters, and victims either of bad management or sweatshop exploitation. Some have pitched hay, milked cows and washed dishes between appear ances on the makeshift stages of summer resorts. Others have dou- bled as recreation counsellors" and thus have found themselves managing everything from dupli- cate contract bridge tournaments to guest-talent shows. All of them agree that it is very nice indeed to return to Broadway, even if there arc few jobs to be had.
 
 Rural Theatricals
 There are, of course, a number of excellent rural theaters, organi- zations with talent and background and genuine artistic purpose. They are still flourishing, and will con- tinue to prosper until the frost is on the pumpkin and the job-har- vest gets under way along the city's rialto. Most of the unsuccess- full theaters have been ill-assorted groups 50 frequently found during the silly season which have tried to exhibit shopworn dramatic mummies in exchange for the quarters and half-dollars of some of the companies hired by resort hotels. These just up and quit.
 Counting actors, musicians, din- ner entertainers and such, at least 2000 Broadwayites went to shore and mountain resorts. Some were not promised any wages at all be- yond board and place to sleep. Musicians may receive only $4 a week, singers and dancers $100 for twelve-week season. One actress had to wait table at a hotel which she could have bought with seasons salary few years ago. A bandsman tells me that he and eleven others were quartered in an attic of a barn. He also says that one evening the hotel owner asked whether they could play "The Star Spangled Banner" So they swang into the anthem, only to be stopped by their boss. "Ter- rible!" he yelled. "Play 1t again now; sweet and hot-for denc- ing"
 One of the most interesting shows in town right now doesn't cost a cent. It's Uncle Toms Cabin" and Is presented on a port able stage in various parks with the compliments of the works divi- sion of the department of public welfare.
 The actors are good actors. even if they are on the relief rolls. The bloodhounds are yap- ping beagles which sometimes get ahead of Eliza as she crosses the ice. The curtain squeak as 1t scenes, and the amplifying system the voices to audiences of thou sands. But it's still grand show; better. says Mayor LaGuardia, than when he first saw 1t as a boy out in Arizona. Besides, it's the first show in New York history that required riot squad to man. age the audience at every per- formance.
 The able Cleon Throckmorton designed the theater, which is mounted on a truck and is com plete from colored spotlights to five sets of reversible scenery. Hardened old wiseys are fond of speaking of its "al fresco" stage. although 1t opens out to a depth of 20 feet and width of 30. When and if theatrical unemploy- ment becomes less of problem it is likely that these mobile thea ters will start out under private ownership to tour the smaller cities. One Broadway syndicate already has been organized to finance a motorized stock com- pany tour of the south this win ter.
 One-Man Show
 There's still another free and portable theater, except that this one asks for contributions. It is a one-man, curbstone puppet show named A. D. Faber. Penniless and with no prospect of a job, he came into town few weeks ago and il- logically decided to become a drama producer. From sticks and cast-off canvas he built a booth like frame, titled it the Little Show" with a borrowed can of paint, and hung a tin cup. labeled BOX Office," on the front of it. Then he fashioned some marion cites. composed a simple scenario, and went to work along the side walks of Greenwich Village. Spec tators volunteered suggestions for more exciting situations and fun nier gags, and now the enterprise crosses about $3 a day. Which is better, points out MT Faber. than lots of stage actors are doing. vide for confiscation and the con-