Evening star., 1948-12-21
Electric Playhouse to Feature
Ease of Push-Button Livinq

fuSn.puCtOn ugntlng 70 mater
your mood and your guests com
plexion at the same time was intro.
duced here yesterday.
The wonders Of lighting and ar
all-electric house never cease in thu
new Electric Playhouse at the Poto.
mac Electric Power Co. Building
Tenth and E streets NV. Walls o,
the modern, 98-seat auditorium car
be about any color desired, If yol
know which switch to push.
Lights in the living room that 4
shown on the revolving stage coulc
make one guests glass of buttermill
look like creme de menthe and an.
others the colors Of a pousse cafe.
Actually, the lighting isn't showr
as a model for everyone's living
room. Not many homes would USE
that many" explained Laurence A
Higgins of Dramaturgy, Inc, Cleve.
land, who conceived not only the
seating arrangement, but the three
revolving stages and two elevator
stages as we'll.
Beginning in January, the Play
house, under supervision of the
Electric Institute, will offer "gra-
cious living" presentations to wom-
ems groups, followed by luncheons
served from the all-electric kitchen
by Pepco's Home Service Bureau.
Innovation Of Tables.
1t had two openings yesterday
one press review, the other for
District government officials, the
Public Utilities Commission, Pepco
officials and the Electric Institute.
The institute Is q cooperative
group, supported by appliance deal
ers, distributors, contractors, man
ufacturers and department stores.
First innovation in the Electric
Playhouse is its seating arrange
other row Of which
can be converted into tables for the
luncheons. But its lighting display
Is the eye catcher, particularly
when shown on the moving stage.
Histrionics 60 with 1t. In Q Wig
nette to show the marvels Of elec-
tricity when applied to household
chores, Mrs. Robert Maurer, 1915
Kalorama road NV, plays the part
If the unmarried housewife-from
dipping into the deep freezer to
get a steak for the unexpected
guest to whipping through quick
roning while the steak broils.
This routine includes time for q
trip or two to the electric panel,
which includes about 40 switches.
Variety Of Lighting.
These will flick on overhead lights
spotted in the ceiling to cover each
chair or seat, give q mellow fire.
glow to the fireplace, outline an oil
painting and brighten the corner
where you have to look for q new
photograph album. The switches
also will give light on the mantle,
bookcase, coffee table, table lamp,
valance. blue window. Also switch
fiippable IS the strictly sun effect.
a combination Of incandescent and
fuorescent lighting in q floor lamp.
Mrs. Maurer does a creditable
job Of acting, particularly when the
audience begins to realize she is
working with a husband" who is
only a recorded voice.
Another member of the program
is Mrs. Clayton Smith, director
who charmingly tells what is 60
ing to happen, and Whitney Wat
kins. who describes each action
Mrs. Mary Turner is director OF
the Home Service Bureau.
AS a demonstration only, the Play.
house also produces rainbow walls
blue, red, green and yellow light
black, cadmium, sodium and mercury
light.
Beginning January 6, by invita-
ton only, women's organizations vii
use the Playhouse for demonstra
tions and luncheons on Tuesdays