Daily News from New York, New York • 774

OT 'Poop- RicCaeptr3! Endorses Love; Welcome Bach, 'Noajze. di Figer' Jazzy Stamps Washington, Dec 2 (UPI) Postmaster General John A. Gronouski unveiled today a new abstract design for a postage stamp the first ever used on a stamp. The work of artist Stuart Davis, it is a mixture of reds, blacks and blues. The colors overlap to create an effect which "pulsates like the jazz music of which he (Davis) was so fond," Gronoo-ski said.

By JOHN CHAPMAN In Jean Kerr's new comedy, "Poor Richard," which opened last evening at the Helen Hayes Theatre, the author gives her hero a line about love to the effect that, when one By DOUGLAS WATT Can it be three seasons since "he Nozze di Figaro" was last with us at the Met It was up until last night, though it's hard to imagine Mozart's masterpiece ever being out of our hearts or minds. The main thing is, it's back. And in good hands. Many of "POOR RICHARD" Comedy by Jean Kerr, produced by Roger L. Stevens at the in a si a IS CO Ceiare Siepi A delightful Figaro of a severe illness, gave one of the most spirited and boyish performances of this role I can recall.

Hermann Prey's Count Alma-viva, though acceptable, was perhaps the one weak link in the ensemble performance. Though pleasing, Prey's Count was too bland. He never really joined in the fun. Elfego Esparza, a rotund successor of Salvatore Baccaloni if ever I saw one, was an amusing Don Bartolo, and Gladys Kriese as Marcellina and Mariano Caruso as Don Basilio fit into the proceedings nicely. Joy Clements' Barbarina came along too late to be caught.

Rosenstock conducted skillfully. i i 1 j-i 1 i 1 1 1 a stamiing Knam ED SULLIVAN ECmXTA PETESS IBS WESSON IVoY OTIS Prodacd ond Directed ty ES4AN KOWK EDWARD JAN PEERCE EUGENE IIAHTHA FESTIVAL conducted by EOSDCSON ISTOMSr SCELAMME PHILHARMONIC MAURICE LEVTNE CHANUKAH FESTIVAL COMMITTEE 215 Park Ave. N.Y.. N.Y.. OH 7-9534.

CHARLES H. SILVER. Chairman TONIGHT RESERVED SEATS thinks that all the doors have been closed against it, it may get in through a side door that has been carelessly left open. Much of Mrs. Kerr's humor, samples of which have been avail able in the long-running Mary Mary," is something like that, too.

Instead of confronting you with a loud, pat gag, it sort of sneaks in by a side door. It is funny, all right, but it doesn't Alan Bate Likm a thinking Btatl wear itself out trying to be. It is most enjoyable when it is in context and in character with whoever speaks it. Bereaved Poet In "Poor Richard" Mrs. Kerr gives loye another affectionate endorsement and provides some amusing but not too difficult situations.

In the second of three stanzas the main male character gets a bit winded, as though he and the author have paused to figure out where to go next but on the whole "Poor Richard" is a literate and urbane comedy. Alan Bates plays Richard and lookg like a thinking Beatle. He is a "best-selling poet who has come from England to New York to confer with his publisher. He settles into an attractive furnished flat in the Village and the publisher obligingly lends the visitor his own secretary. The secretary, as played by Joanna Pettet, is no less than adorable.

She is young, pretty and has a Herefordian whim of iron. She flabbergasts poet Bates right off the bat by informing him that he Is going to marry her. That is all one needs to know about the plot. Keeps Talking Bates gives a charming performance of an up-to-date Oscar Wilde character in sloppy clothes. He is a widower.

His sentimental book of verse about his late mate is a freakish success. As Mrs. Kerr observes, "The public will accept anything even quality." Bates has written nothing for a year and a half, and in the public eye he is a grief -stricken genius who has taken to drink. rp FINAL NITE TOMITE! :30 PM CTj Ijs.F. IOMIERS vt ALL STARSU CONVENTION HALL ASBURY PARK fl tS: IS: $3.50 A S2.50 ON SALI AT HALL.

GENERAL ADMISSION SZ I I 201-Pi S-000 CONTINUOUS TWO TOf 0CHtSTK AS I EVERY THURS FRL, SAT, SUN. EVENINB N. Y. Bat Entertainment Value Popular Priced Bar TUXEDO BALLROOM V. Kti i ivr i ST IS ST.

3ri N.T.C I Helen Hayes Theatre, Dec. 1964. THE CAST? Sydney Carroll GENE HACKMAN Catherine Shaw JOANNA PETTET Ri.hard Ford ALAN BATES John McFarland COLGATE SALSBCRT Virginia Baker JOAN ALEXANDER But he doesn't even know if he loved his wife, and it takes him a long time to discover that he loves Miss Pettet much longer than it took me last evening. He is a very talkative chap and hig author has kept him busy. In a Wildean line he says, "I keep talking because I have nothing to say." Gene Hackman gives a good straight account of himself as the publisher a chap who has yearned long to wed Miss Pettet but is a natural-born second choice.

He observes that he is so "medium" he could rob a bank and nobody would be able to describe him. There are helpful minor performances by Colgate balsbury and Joan Alexander. Incident at Vichy Opening Tonight "Incident at Vichy." a lone single-act play by Arthur Miller, opens tonight at 7:45 at the A NT A Washington Square The atre. It is this season's second production by the Repertory Iheatre of Lincoln Center. (The first, "The Changeling," will fold Dec.

23.) David Wayne and Jo seph Wiseman play leads in the all-male cast, Harold Clurman directed and Boris Aronson de signed the set. City Hall Guests The Schiller Theatre Company of West Berlin, currently appearing at the New York State Theatre, will visit City Hall at 11 A.M. today. TOM'W thru MOM. TOM'W Gala Profram featuring Biytderka, excerpt from Giselle, The Corsaire, The Nutcracker end Tarn Bulb.

SAT. 2:30: Cho-piniani, Cinderella Act. 2, Tarjs Bulba. SAT. EVE.

a SUN. MAT, Swan Lake (Full Length in 4 Acts). S. HUROK Leningrad cau i 13 al lot L1 MADISON SQ. GARDEN SEATS NOW: JI.SO, 3, 9, 7.

Theatre Directory "DELIGHTFUL. ONE OF THE SHARPEST AND FUNNIEST FARCES OF THE SEASON- FRED RUTH MURRAY CLARK WHITE HAMILTON A "ALA POWERS BSKNCK MALA RUTH McOEVITT im OP A CKI.IO AMBASSADOR IIS 49 St. CO S-I5S Evo. at JO. Matt.

Sat. 2:30 Wl. 2:00 "AN INVITATION TO I.AI HTER." A fUJ I orK'er Mttnaztne SANDY IkKNMS IM1N POKTKK in Th lievs Corned Smaih BUI WKMNESFIAY MUSIC BOX. J39 W. 45th Cirtl.

8-4636 Evt. at M.t. Sat. at 2 40. WM.

at 1 "WELCOME TO THE TOWN'S NEWEST SIZZLING HIT." Sohol. Jrl. Am "THE RAINBOW-CLAD COMPANY WHIRLS THROUGH ITS' PACES LIKE A HURRICANE." Time Manuring "SOME OF THE MOST RIOTOUS INVENTIVE AND COLORFUL MUSIC AND CHORE' OGRAPHY IN TOWN." Cmc Maoatine CHITA NANCY HERSCHEL RIVERA DUS8AULT BERNARDI i A' etc Mimical Comedy Hit I A II Oo-starrtiiK ROBERT BURR. MAE QUESTEL SHUBERT THEATRE 225 44 St Cir 5990 E.at. at i.3.

Matm. Sat. at 2:30. Wa at 2 "A BUBBLING. RIB-TICKLING COMEDY." Tauhman.

Time Th Keu Comedy Smnth AUKFIW IX THE PARK BILTMORE THE 21 W. 47. JU 2-SS40 Eas. at 30. Matt.

Sat. at 2:30. Wad. at 2 Soir Arailfihf At Rojt Of lire ATBDX-OmCE the singers and the conductor, Joseph Rosenstock, were assum ing their tasks for the first time here and practically the lot of them did so easily and gracefully. New Touches This is the production, new five years ago, that was staged by Cyril Ritchard, who was in the house last night.

He has touched it up here and there so that it flows even more smoothly and lightly than before. At the core of it is Cesare Siepi's Figaro, a characterization that seems to grow and grow. The voice, as rich and commanding as ever, has developed fresh nuances and the acting is more buoyant. Lisa Delia Casa's Countess, exquisite' to look upon and vocally alluring much of the time, is familiar to us, as is Judith Raskin's neatly conceived Susanna. A Fresh Cherubino Among the new interpreters, Teresa Stratas' Cherubino stood out.

The young and tiny Canadian singer, only recently forced to cancel her first Manon because STARTS TOMORROW CONT. I list I Idi Art. tt iim GLA I GLADYS KMGHUHPS THEVVNJR HERMAN AMIS SHOW LAST DAT "GLORIA LYSSE" TONIGHT AT 8:15 P.M. LtmitexJ Eneaoomont thru Doc. 6 Mi by CfiZucMmmyt Iff CeriRM simutUneout fnf-14 tYjnttlttKS.

YKX STATE THEATER Tl 7.1777 Cm run mi, a si 1 1 I "JIAI "MI FAVORITE Ml SICAI. COMEDY THIS fiK.S41:" Waft. POt RIIHKKT PKKSTOV in EN FKAXKL1N IN PARIS The yew lUuxteal Comedv Deliaht LUNT-FONTANNE Tkn. 205 46 JU 6-S555 Evas, at :30. Matt.

Sat. at 2:30, We, at 2 MAGNIFICENT! McClain. Jrl. AM. VICTOR OMEDY IN vith LEONID HAMBRO GOLDEN TMEA 45tk West at Bw.y.

Cir S-674C Efi. at Man. Sat. at 3. Waal, at 2 "BRILLIANT! ALL'S WELL WITH IVOYLY CARTE!" Rich.

Her. Trio. HUROK aratanta THE WORLD FAMOUS CARTE OPERA COMPANY iTa.laht Taa' 30: RUODIGORE Sat. 2:30 A 1:30: I0LANTHE. Sua.

12:30 A 3:30: THE MIKAOO. Popnlar Price 1.0.1 Top N. Y. CITY CENTER. 131 W.

55 St. Clr f-MM "A MUSICAL THAT GLOWS WITH RARE ENTERTAINMENT MAGIC." Glover. A.P. FZERO MOSTEI in IDDLKR ON THE RCXF The er Mutiral Hit? Directed by JERO.ME BOBBINS IMPERIAL THEA. 24 W.

45 St CO 5-2412 Ea.a JO. Matm- Sat. at 2:30. Waal, at 2 THE FABl I.OI NEW Ml'PICAI. HIT FBARBRA SYDNEY STREISAND CHAPLIN TTNNY GIRL WINTER GARDEN B'y A 50.

CI 9-487 Ev. at 1:30. Mats. Sat. at 2:30.

Wed. at 2 "AMERICAN POPn.AR Ml'SICAI. THEATRE AT ITS BEST" Tavhman. Timet Go SAMMY D4VTS in The Seio Musical Smash I BOY MAJESTIC 247 W. 44 St.

581 -4792 Elt. :30. Mali. Sat. at 2:30.

Wad. at 2 AMERICA'S GREATEST MUSICAL HIT CAROL CHANNING In ST. JAMES 24 W. 44 St. OX S-585S Evt.

1:30. Matt. Sat. at 2 JO. Wad.

at 2 "CAUSE lOR CELEBRATION!" Tauhman. Times "A DA EFT DELIGHT!" Chapman etc BEATRICE I.II.I.IF. TAMMY GRIMES KIIWAKII HIMinWARO Th Hilarious Musical Bit I i SPIRITS Oiractad NOEL COWARD ALVIN 2ad St. W. ft B'y.

r.lr l-'Tf' Es. at 4 30. Mats. Sat. 2:30 A Wad.

1 fD'il Levene in 'Forum' Sam Levene will star in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," opening Dec. 25 at the Mineola, L.I., Playhouse. Fritzi Burr, who has toured in a few shows, will make her Broadway debut in a featured role in "The Family Way" Jennifer West and Robert Hooks, accompanied by director Edward Parone and playwright LeRoi Jones, leave today for Berlin to recreate their original roles in "Dutchman" for a Dec. 9 performance that will be televised simultaneously throughout West Germany. TONITE 1 SHOWS NEW YEAR'S ANNCdtlO EVE 8 4 1 1:30 14 alt, II muam east va.

OHIY I MORE PERFORMANCES Thur. DEC 17 Mon. JAN. 48 P.M. Madison Sq.

Garden sm 1 ut ELI WALLA C3 EARTHA RTTT BERTRAM ROSS ETHEL WINTER Wrilwn by HENRY DENIER Cane, by SOPHIE MA SLOW Liqhiing by SAM LEVE 8:30 30 Suoy ion nn. ipu EVES. (Mi. thru Thor. NOW Khow.

KAIL! WATS. WL) J2.5ft $4 Mats, at Holiday Itn Meek I'Sr amaii i.m MM fl 11 0O tuxol' Ere. Previetrs Toniaht thru Sat at 8:39 MAT. SAT. ft OPENS MON.

EVC. DEC. 7 Stmtm Now Dayid Black preaeata JULIE HARRIS EADY WHEN YOU ARE C.B.I a neie comedy by Suaan Slado directed by JOSHUA LOGAN rith Inu Antonio Bnavkt Atkintaa. 47tfc St W. af way Ctr 5-3430 "4'HRISTMAS HAS COME EARLY TO BROADWAY!" Tauhman.

Times SLOW DANCE ON THE KILLING GROUND by WILLIAM HANLEY directed by JOSEPH ANTHONY PLYMOUTH 23S W. 45th SL Cir -tl5 Ea.ate:30.Mat. 8t. at 2:30. WW.

at 2 "THE LAl'GHS ROLL ON AND ON." Kerr. Trio. DIANA SANDS ALAN ALDA in HE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT A Keve Comedy Hit ANTA THEATRE. 245 W. 52nd St Cir -627t Eva, at 3:40.

Matt- Sat. at 2 JO. Wad. at 2 One of the mart talked about plat ol 'near LAST WEEK CSLEfi "Mara Saariaa tkaa aaytkiaa mm Braadway Skiaea aiitk kuaiv Traaiklaa ilk feat-iaa. idaai.

iataanty." Tauhman. Time TRITA MORESO GABRIEL DELL 4a LORRAINE HANSBERRY'S HE SIGN I.N SIDNEY BRUSTEIN-S WINDOW also starrino ALICE GHOSTLEY LONG ACRE THEA. 48 St. W.ef y. Cir C-53 Ev Tuat-Sat.

Mat. Sat at 2:30. Sua. at 3 DONT MISS IT!" LifeMaa. THE SUBJ with JACK AI.BERTSfl BJKCT WAS ROSES IRBXE MARTIN BERTSOS DAII.EY SHEEN WINTHROP AMES Tkaa.

240 W. 44 BR t-ClOO Evt.at 1:40. Matt. Sat. at 2 JO.

Wad, at 2 "BREEZY. FUNNY aV TUNEFUL!" IFoWter Winchetl STEVE SALLY ANN ROBERT LAWRENCE HOWES ALDA in HAT MAKES SAMMY RUNT The A'eie Musical Smash Bit! 54TH STREET 152 W. 54. JU S-37S7 Evatat S. 30 Matt.

Sat, at 2:30. Wed. at2 "FLASHY. COLORFUL PACED WITH NPI.1 1 M1I TI.MI Ve AD RATTLING I I MACHI.MK-Gl KKMSLT THAT'S ZI2I." Tauhman. Times ZII JEANMAIRK im ROLAND PETIT'S ZI St I A HEW MTSICAZ, EITRAV AGASZA Caat nn1 Ciiifany of 6ft BROADWAY BNaay at 53.

Cir 7-7992 Ev. at 8 30. Mat. Sat. 2JO A Wad.

2:80 I nJ OR 6Y m- Wnrner Hro I HI-WFICf (KM If A.M.DM.T Theatre Directory- PULITZER PRIZE WINNER OW TO SUCCEED IN BUSIXKSS -WITHOUT REALLY TRY1NO Stars RONNIE WELSH. JEFF DE BENNING 46TH ST. 229 W. 46ttl. Circle 4-4271 Evat.

at Matt. Sat. at 2 30. Wad. at 2 OPE AS TOMGHT at Arthur Miller's NCIDBNT AT VICHT Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center Evas.

:0. Sua. E. 7 M. Matt.

Sat. A Sua. ANTA Walk. Sa. 40 W.

4. OR 4-6600 (Between Washington Sauar at Broadway! UT'SEALLY SPELLS LAPPS" laubman. Time "-LUV IS THE ANSWER TO A THEATREGOER'S PRAYER" Kerr. Her. Trib.

CLAIKE NICHTKRN presents ELI ANNE ALAN WALLACH JACK.SON AKhlN in LU a new -omedr by MURRAY SCHISGAL dimtrO by MIKE NICHOLS BOOTH THEATRE. 222 W. 45th St. Clr (-59S9 Ev. at :40.

Matt. Sat. at 2:40. Wad. at 2 .000.909 THEA TREGO ESS Hav Loved It MJEAN KERR'S IRRESISTIBLE ART.

MARY MOKOSTO Wast 45th St. 24-6230 Eee.a:30. Mat. Sat. 2:30 A Wa at 2 P.M.

"UP TO ITS EARS IN MCliHTER." A'err. Her. Trib. DENNIS MARTHA WILL O'KEEFE SCOTT HUTCHLNS NEVER TOO LATE 3rd Lauoh-Pncked Year! Directed by GEORGE ABBOTT GOOD SEATS AVAIL. FOR ALL PERFf.

Playkeuta Tkaa. 4S MU Sat Wed Clr 3-6060 "HILARIOUS MUSICAL OKNTERTA I NMENT!" Sete Yorker WHAT A LOVELY WAR A Musical Entertainment BROADHURST 235 W. 44 St Cir f-(S94 Eve, at 3:30. Mat. Sat.

at 2:30. WeJ. at 2 FIRST MAT. TODAY at 2. SAT.

MAT. 230 "TENDER. MOVING." Chapman ip DONALD MADDEN DONALD WOODS Oind Sharon Iuchlin in ONE a. lave tary by Dcvre Sehary 8ELA8CO Ill Waat 44tk St. JU -75 EvtaJJO.

Mata. Taday 2, Sat. 2 JO. Wad. 2 ALAN BATES In PJEAN KERR'S New riay OOR RICHARD Direrted hy PETER WOOD HELEN HAYES W.

4C St. 24S-S3M EVES- at (JO. First Matiaae Satarday 2 JO.