Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-05-30

joined the wrong branch of the
business"
The soluble problems, the
standard ones Of producers, are
merely a challenge to Miss Ben
nett. The one that would worry
her most, if she had time, is quite
something else-that of finding
herself and her outdoor operetta
at the mercy Of the elements.
Rain" is the most nerve-shat-
tering word in her life and will
be until September.
insurance." she was asked.
TOO high" Miss Bennett says.
by the time you pay the pre-
MUM, you're virtually out Of
business. No, we are giving rain
checks. For less than half a per-
Torrance due to rain, the patron
is entitled to a return date. If
it showers during a performance.
we shall wait half-an-hour. If
the rain stops in time, there will
be cushions to cover the wet seats
and the performance will con-
tinue."
Radio and televiSion spots will
keep patrons up to the last min
ute on weather for individual
performances. Miss Bennett, like
all outdoor entertainment en-
trepreneurs. would prefer not to
think about rain.
4 X \
The actreSS-t urned-producer is
adhering to the formal of her
seniors in the business, Paul Beis-
man Of the st. Louis Muny opera,
and the others. This is to say,
her operation is starting with a
series of Semiclassics in the
operetta catalogue.
But, once set, say next season,
I'd like to do new productions,
and possibly with new people, I"
she says. professional people,
of course" she adds.
So far, however, she has had
little time to give this subject
much thought. There are so
many other subjects demanding
her time and attention. But
she is taking it all in her stride.
Sound metabolism, she says.
X X X X
BULLETIN BOARD: With to-
nights closing performance at
the National, the Hume Cronyns
will have played 1.-THE Four
poster" 627 times in one of the
most phenomenal records of the
last decade. Sixteen States
and two Canadian provinces saw
them on their tour, Washington
for a total of five weeks in four
visits. Arena Stage will cele-
brate its 1,000th performance
with special gala ceremonies on
June 7. In three years, it
will have played 141 weeks to
more than 100000 patrons. &.
Total productions in that time,
81. Pine Tree Players who
operated at Avondale Playhouse,
near Laurel, last year. will open
their second season June % with
a production Of Noel Coward's
Hay Fever" The company
is composed of college talent,
directed by Rudolph Pugliese.
Rene Glars Beauty and
the Devil" seen recently at the
Plaza, will be the attraction at
the Byrd Cinema, Arlington.
starting tomorrow. king
of Kings" will be shown tonight
at 8 pm. at the Arlington Bap-
fist Church, 9th and Monroe
street, South, under the auspices
of the Young Peoples Club. 9.
Also in Arlington: The Unitarian
Players of Washington will pre-
sent "See How They Run" for
the benefit of st. Georges Epis-
copal Church, in the parish hall
of the latter, next Wednesday
night. Curtain time, $50
pm. "A Night at the Thea
ter" consisting of three one
act plays is in rehearsal at st.
Thomas Episcopal Church, with
two performances set for June
8 and 10 in Parish Hall, 1772
Church street. A mystery,
a comedy and a scene from an
historical drama comprise the
program.