The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 61

1 Brook Musical Lacks Usual Zip Wails About Ills Of Star System Won't Hide Fact That It Works ft. THE RECORD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1963 I' rolls' 1 i It's difficult to feel much sympathy for producers who soak luncheon tablecloths with tears over the evils of the star system. No one has ever heard George Abbott trying to alibi himself on that score. There are, by well Actor Without Temperament Might Be Too Dull To Attract Public Br HOBE MORRISON (Drama Reviewer! 'Plain And Fancy Reopens Cedar Grove Spot; March Underplays His Role By KENNETH G. WALLACE (Drama Editor) Cedar Grove After a 5-week absence from the entertainment scene, Meadowbrook Dinner-Theater was reactivated last night with the opening of "Plain and stardom in the theater.

It's a perennial gambit for rehashing old arguments, and should elicit a bumper crop of lively statements for the "Bulletin's" readers. To any one mho's been observing the theater and its impulsive practitioners for a few years, however, there's something slightly futile, if not silly, about another flurry of all this. It's downright amusing to read th lamentations of the Hollywood nabobs oa the subject, as purveyed by the Screen Producers Guild periodical. New York Inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's highly illnesses and romantic peccadillos, perhaps, or even 6 The premier marked the start of Meadowbrook' fifth year. the reported capaciousness of Marlon Brando, there been a revival recently of talk about excessive temperament, will authenticated report, few stars, authors and others with whom Abbott flatly refuses to work, for be makes use of the fact that it's a free country la that regard.

But Abbott is not a eomplainer, and some of the star-system de-criers could do worse than imitate him. For example, David Merrick is generally too busy with positive production matters to waste time in cry-babying. The plain fact, however. Is that PLAIN AMD a musiral, fulness, and irresponsibility of stars. The theater-going and last night a presentation was hm.ic bw Jnwnh fcteln a.nd Will GiU- mau: mutic by Albert Hague: lyric hardly the fancy package befitting the occasion.

by Arnold B. Horwm: preiented by movie audiences couldn't care less, of course, for star tem perament is wonderful to behold from a distance. and Gary Mr Hugh at tha Hen els This is. unless hasty impres hitmaam brook Duine-r-Tneiler Cedar sions are wrong, suu a tree country, and nobody is holding Grove; ptroauction direried tor Dan-aid Burr; mutiral direction by Mi-rnaei Forman; by Jua Stnuck: scenery by William Simpson, Does any one crave advance a gun at the bead of studio executives and making them en with the following cast: it bulletins from tryout cities on the incoming Broadway shows? Well, mma MUier arooii Eira Keier Darreil Rati Yo3erMWWAtva Ceiauro Papa Yod an Tudor Ruth nrv i To am Dan Hal MarcA gage the supposedly outrageous stars. No one seriously questions that many, if not most, stars are temperamental.

tomorrow night's arrival, "An There bat beea growing agitation, however, among Bollywood studio executives, producers, and directors, and evea from a few managers on Broadway, about what is called the unreasonable behavior and demands of stars at least, certain stars A professional publication. "The Journal" of the Screen Producers Guild, recently conducted a symposium on the star system, and It printed a number of fairly bris tling opinions on the subject, mostly critical, from representative Hullywood figures. ANOTHER SURVEY This has led Philip Dunning, editor of the "Dramatists the monthly publication of the Dramatists Guild of the Authors League of America, to conduct a similar survey among playwrights, directors, producers, and even critics, on the state of While there were many exhilarating and cheery moments to which the eager audience responded happily, they were barely enough to make up for the lack of verve, bounce, and enthusiasm which has characterized Meadowbrook offerings. OFTEN DRAGS This version' of the musical about the Amish people of Pennsylvania dragged through many minutes and seemed to have about as much liveliness as the Amish folk themselves. Isaac Margin bptaua dorra at the Biltmore, did not have a tryout tour, but has merely played a series of previews.

The JElUa Rott Who would expect otherwise? I 1 Hi. da Miller. Peter Beoer A Oner Zook Moses Zooic acor Yodr And for that matter, who would ant it otherw ise, since an untem- word of oo-the-scene observers John Mm to J(f CraisT Bud Fleming: JRtchard Kinter Marlna Tvres Jodi William SHAKESPEAREAN ROLES: Betty Miller and Michael Hig peramental star might be, almost by definition, a dull fellow and therefore no star at all? has been mixed. "Photi which tried out in Boston, was generally liked. The summary seemed to be that gins play the Macbeth and Lady Macbeth roles to the N.

Y. Shakespeare Festival version of "Macbeth" which will be performed to-night at Academic Hall. Dwlght Morrow High School In Englewood. There is a simple way to deal it's funny, though not entirely with stars whose behavior or de satisfactory. It opens next Tues Director Donald Burr, who usually deserves commendation for mands are Impossible or unrea star of the piece and her clever sense of comedy timing, her warmth in projecting a girl to, be pitied as well as laughed at, makes her the No.

1 performer of the night. day at the Brooks Atkinson. sonablelust don engage them. and tomorrow Bight at Ktver Ueu senior wgn acnooi. uraaeu.

'Macbeth' To Make "Lorenio" received one favor his ability to create a format That sometimes happens, as it able review and four pans in that fits Meadowbrook't in-the-round presentation, hasn't man f2l33tBzSia HVtWal I 0O4 10 IQOt "iu4 wi Boston. It's due next Thursday Kowan Tudor, with his fine aged to inject that touch to this night at the Plymouth. bass-baritone voice, is excellent apparently has in the case of Judy Garland, whose emotional attitudes were said to Interfere with her professional effectiveness. Although her talent and popularity were undeniable, her as Papa Yoder and other high company not yet, anyway. That seems the major fault here too 2-Day Bergen Visit "The Heroine" was praised at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Mill-burn.

N. J. It did not play any major tryout cities. It's to open much too soon. I-ic If it wasn't for his name and vrK TWa4r rrL a Sit.

O.lr DOORS OPEN Show STARTS 11:30 A.M. 12 NOON lights are provided by Evelyn Brooks as Emma Miller; Joel Craig as the carnival dancer; and Bud Fleming and Marlena Tryee for their "'Lantern Light" his fame, one would hardly sus services were not in demand, at least on terms acceptable to her. February 19 at the Lyceum. "Dear Me, the Sky Is Falling pect that Hal March, of "$64,000 N. Y.

Shakespeare Group To Perform If a few star are expendable. dance. others are worth whatever they was generally praised In New Haven and Philadelphia. It will In Englewood And Oradell CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCES! IS KSUMD tt.TS! rjucnTutiM SHowi oil itoimn Question reknown. Is the star of the piece.

Unfortunately, he's cast in a role that actually is a Young and Foolish" by the demand, even tor perhaps especially) an Ethel Merman, who young lovers; Its a Helluva open March 2 at the Music Box. the musical version secondary one and no one seems SIF Way to Run a Love Affair by dco i r-u i unci ri 1 wmmrT of the old Robert E. Sherwood more conscious of the fact than the recent star of Broadway's always gives her best performance, and whose bos office appeal Is such that she carried the Winner etlOAadtmrAwirds Jacques Deval comedy, received the city gal; and "Take Your Time and Your March's lone singing Job In company with "Come Blow Your mixed reviews In Philadelphia. It poorly regarded musical, "Happy NOW SHOWING! March, playing the part of Dan arrives March 9 at the Broad King, the city slicker who comes STORY OF CHRISTIANITY to a 52-week run on Broadway. way.

back to the Amish town Just out "Hot a musical about Hilda and Ruth (Miss Ross and Miss Towbin) are a few of the song hits youll remember. Tu-dor's singing of "Plain We Live" you'll also like; and you'll com Cornel Wilde side Lancaster to sell an Inher the Peace Corps, opened a Wash ited farm, handled It with def ington tryout this week to bad-to- RIALTO HVbbard 7-0617 inite restraint and notable under mixed notices. It due March 21 playing, Main Ptrret, ItUrrfM far mend them for the raising of the barn on the stage, plus an excellent kitchen scene which William peared In many off-Broadway I and T. V. productions, including "The Girl on the Via which brought her and her actor husband James Greene together.

It was while playing in Thornton Wilder's "Plays for Bleeker Street" at the Circle in the Square last spring that she was engaged by the N. Y. Shakespeare Festival Company for the 1962 summer performances of "King Lear" in Central Park. Betty admits that she hasn't found any satisfactory way of solving housekeeping problems while keeping up the rehearsal and performance schedule that the "Macbeth" production has called for. "Things get a bit dusty," is her eupnenistic In the story, he gets mixed up ANDTHEKOSS KAUFMANN In the family doings of the Simpson has created.

Like the sets, the musical direction by Yoders, the Rebers, and the Millers, the families who shun Englewood A slim young actress with the simple name of Betty Miller will enact one of Shakespeare's most complicated roles. Lady Macbeth, when Joseph Papp's N. Y. Shakespeare Festival Company presents "Macbeth" In Bergen County tonight and tomorrow night. Miss Milto, wife, mother, and homemaker to the James Greenes, a Greenwich Village family of three, has been involved in the theater since college days, when she majored in drama at Los Angeles City College.

Although she never had in mind becoming a Shakespearean actress, her career took an early turn In that direction In 1959, when Jose Qulntero, friend and former college classmate, sought her for the role of Lady Macduff in the Cambridge Drama Festival production of Subsequently Miss Miller ap Michael Forman is commendable the outside world to continue their Amish ways. And the way March does it he keeps all the attention focused on these peo Twin Citadels of Sin! "SODOM GOMORRAH" Stewart Granger Pier Angeli Stan. Baker Rotiana Podito --strssriTy free VtwtsJOi OratWc. HT. rV7.

iMrtt 302 Omtttkurf, HT. NO 4- ple of peace. Mnunuw The consequence Is that the characters of Katie Yoder and kl fU "TSSBLE WIS KFVF! S3 MUC8 FN NOW! at the Majestic. "Tchin-Tchln." prospering at the Plymouth with Anthony Qulnn and Margaret Leighton as stars, moves next Monday night to the Barry more. Another transfer will be "The Beauty which must vacate the Music Box and move to another theater February 25 to make way for the incoming "Dear Me, The Sky Is Other scheduled arrivals in-eluding only those with specified theaters and opening dates, are as follows: "Wonderful next Wednesday at the Ctiy Center, for 2 weeks.

"Oklahoma!" at the City Center, February 27, for 2 weeks. Jack Benny revue, at the Zieg-ftld, February 29, for 54 weeks. Peter Reber become more the stars than himself. Even his The New York Shakespeare t-SIOf) girl friend, played by Beryl Tow- Festival's "Macbeth" will be bin, takes more of the spotlight given four times here. This after noon and tonight the famed com than he does.

As a wise-crack. 'MM ing city gal. she makes it pretty clear she wants only to get out Emm 4 pany Is at Academic Hall of Dwlght Morrow High School In Englewood for a matinee for students and an evening peformance "Riot March 7. at the Suzanne Plesheiie- Phil Sims of the farm country and back to the hi time at the Cort. "Too True to Be Good" 54th Street, March 12, 2nd Hit4MYSTERY SUBMARINE at 8:30 for the public.

Stewart Pier GRANGER ANGELI "SODOM and GOMORRAH" even If not commanding. It'i nice to have Meadowbrook back again and It's likely that future customers will see a livelier show than last night's opener. It's a safe bet producer Gary McHugb. and director Burr will see to that. "Plain and Fancy" Is to be on a 4-night a week basts, Thursday through Sunday nights through March 3.

EDIE ADAMS WINS MW COURT SUIT Kovaes's Mother Had Tried Te Oust Her As Executrix Los Angeles UPI) Edie Adams won another legal battle and remained as executrix of the estate of her late husband, comedian Ernie Kovacs. A suit by her mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary Kovacs, to have the singer removed as executrix was dismissed yesterday In Superior Court Mrs. Kovacs had asserted Miss Adams created a fiction picturing herself as a perfect wife and mother. for a Lovely little Alva Celauro Is definitely capable of singing the role and acting the part of Katie Yoder, the girl engaged to marry Ezra Reber but really In love limited engagement.

"Enter at Henry NOW! mr- Tomorrow afternoon and night "Macbeth" will be repeated at River Dell High School in Oradell, In the afternoon for students and again at 8:30 P. M. for the public. A few tickets are available for "BEST PICTURE OF THE YEART NO SIN OR with his younger brother Peter. BOIIIH KARLOFV VISOEJIT PRICE Unfortunately, John Minto, the SPECTACLE lr i TO EQUAL ITVSA role of troublesome young Feter, Martin Eugene Garden, Miller's, March 13.

"Mother Beck, March 28. "She Loves O'Neill, April 23. Winter May 7. "THE RAVEN" rim Thrill, la mIm "EEGAH" is no match for the rest of the tMilMcai uum ra a the evening performances at both Englewood and River Dell. Tik-ets may be purchased at the cast.

While he hasa fine sing RAYVlffcJNtll. door. OFAKAIiLY kig voice, Mlnto's acting Is found wanting and in this key role it affects the entire product His EM S0D0M5 GODMH mm Hiriufl (t, if ft (i ft ft) a one notable moment must be I Bert Virturt Of Tfce Year 1 I "NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW" I 1 CHJMHir ZfKKt 1 1 THE 1 Ml MATS lAI UnllCltlUII uuason 2-l703- shared with others. This is the excellently done fight scene In which the male dancers display a knowledge of jiu Jitsu, Their tumbles are startling. TONITE SAT.

ON STAGE! Judge Clyde C. Triplett ruled Agatha Chrittit's Famous Chiller liTTTTTTTii in favor of a defense motion to NOW! I 0 1962 I TEN LITTLE INDIANS" DAY have the petition dismissed and said Mrs. Kovacs was not an in TODAT a TOMORROW! terested parry since she was not laarencB BELLEVUE (EVERT IN FEB.) I'PPER MONTCLAIR 1 "Exiys oot an heir to the Kovacs estate. Kovacs died Jan. 13.

1962. In WELCOME CONTRAST In direct contrast to the stiff and unbending acting Job by Minto is the standout performance turned In by Eliza Ross in the part of Hilda Miller, the girl who thinks the city visitor (March has fallen in love with her and who tries to return the affection. She was by far the 51 WlMfflffiM. an automobile accident. Both his PI 4-1455 box orrict ort I rmfvn.

I to ra UMTS. r.M. EVES. MOM. THRO SAT.

I P.M. SIN. P.M. lITTli riRCHOUSE THEATRE 2SS KmderUmick Rd. Oradell Alt Reserved: Thurs.

SI 50 Fri Sal. $2 Call: COIfax 1-4200 rmr; Tnir M. 17 30-18 SO PM Sftt. I'tm 1 00 Ilk mother and former wife have filed a series of different legal actions against Miss Adams. Sips! Miss A STAR" Tony Curtis 4QP0VHDSQf7k0tfBW In new charges contained in a declaration with the court before NEW YORK THEATRICAL DIRECTORY THE PICTURE YOU WAITED FOR IS HERE the dismissal of the latest petition, Mrs.

Mary Kovacs also 3 BUY called Miss Adams a selfish. T'pit Sat. 7, 10; Swi. 3, bigoted, career-consumed 1 mmkiX Afct IAtiU WltJiiSi i ire nmiEicc Wmm SktHtfUSttl PROUDLY PRESENTS 14 l-V II OAtllG UTE FOR ACTORS' FUND New York There will be a ST. MARKS Plartut 2a A- St.

OR 4-3530 THE i iiilfuNDERFDli' i sin rrn irtiirtfft 4 the OWEN ENGEL Pmim: Sw. :40 All $1 Cam Mwi. Frt. nth, 7:30 rot MATUtt special performance of the comedy "Never Too Late" starring Paul Ford. Maureen O'Sulllvan and Orson Bean at the Playhouse on West 48th Street, Manhattan, on Sunday night In aid of the at iox office on dam ii a.hto tx BY MAIL Ot IT rHONt DARRYL F.

ZANUCKS ADULXSIII if ft writwwcai oa assa 1 NKSfmii We-riJ HIT MTKX GENE nAMKOT tuii marntu Plytw 42d St. W. A. BR 9-2084 tut ENTIRE fAMUT I FINE ARTS THEATRE 37 Lavington A. Peitoie Actors Fund.

Seals are available at the box office at regular prices. On Sunday February 17, Charles Boyer in "Lord Pengo" also starring Agnes Moorehead. will play a special matinee at "BURLESQUE IS BACK ttrlpped for laughter 2 VSrC FESTIVAL: AN -4, Big "ir.LARIOUS"-- Performances (NOW!) AT A THEATRE NEAR YOU! FEB. 18 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. DAY the Royal Theater for the same worthy cause.

NEW THEATER New York The New Hodale Theater at 62 East Fourth Street In New York will officially open next Friday with the premiere presentation of "Vanity of a new play by J. I. Rodale. 0a CORMaJUS RYAH MO iMrr-f ft TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BOX OFFICE NOW ADMISSION ALL SEATS 1.50 SMOWftAT. l.t tIK II an ipmiiiii ISSIS- ipniiiwiii i i mi iiiissMiMiMiiiii SI fft n.

1st. 1 A tat H'dwrtl EXCLUSIVE RESERVED SEAT ENGAGEMENT! POPULAR PRICESI CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCES! KO RESERVED SEATS! EXACTLY AS BEIKS SHOWN ON BROADWAY! NOW! woi Mt gy, vm mamn. At THEAlflt PARTIES Uri mm Casino EASTTHEri NOW THRU FEB. 24 CPaMO i mm mr MA.3443S ROUTE 59 THEATRE "w- r.T te fwl-C-n We Salt! rvtHIHGS (Uo. Oim Twr evtNiNOS fTH.

Sjt, Sun. 4 Hum Cm). riNrts oe4.) PRE-THEITRE C1KXER $4 tOO.lx SXM TSO Orch. KLtS WJ MTINtCS (ilt. Swi.

Hotfy II ktm is st mm BIG HIT NUMBERS Beyondthefringe Char cf ENTRIES memorable rase 1 1iihi em earn hr tUWCMTOW COCTTAIIS DMW4 prrformnnctt Jfurrving highest prat WALLACE, THf ECCD to. MS. 4 M. Mm Ml, W.IW iww 4., i n. MUil rniAnt in INM tKMt Pm Off COLORFUL! VIVACIOUS! Th Essalit of FftHIHItt Kxw thra Feb.

21 MAURICE Chevalier POPULAR COUNTRY CLUI Highly entertaining jacos schaao at. eve. iews TONY BICKAESSOkTS OF IKE i ml aw. hit er(rl int tr srtit-tiamml (alf F1 Member- Call Mr. Kov Itn an 1M 1 A 9 M.

Thoroughly Delightful (914 11 6-3202 "BEST PICTURE," WINNER OF 10 ACADEMY AWARDS! i jo. o. om MTivrt omit, f4 r.iw i to. ajo, fWlli TtirWimll ilSWSlTC bo orrict So ori.V Open Thnrrty, fb. 14 Al FRFTi DRAKE HMrrelouf totre uf jat pneed hilar done!" SEA SWUM, KEWAPK HI i STFPHFN nnilRI ASS yx M.nvw COLE PORTER'S KISS ME KATE DANCING Saturdoyt Sundorf At thi BiiBtiful NEW MIRROR BALLROOM Smuri)yi fl Id 1 I S.

bmia Imtivclicil 8 BK. Cofltinueui Dancirf to W. Sonoa 7:30 11 30 PM. i'Wt lrrfllM. 7:30 H.

CaatiniMuf Dancinf 11:30 M. ARTHUR MURRAY'S 111 Main Street Hockensock Llccnan S. Oranna Lorenzo iMMMiirAtTlM pmm mm. Ikni TWn. ff.

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44, arn. WT0r4 WITH mm. 41 Of Now thru Mar. 14 RALPH JOHN RICHARDSON CIELGUD The school for scandal Ma Im. So.

tx. I tfmml WH 4 4 L-4U IM. hft 4 Mwr KM 40, 4 (O. i.Ad. morm wiw i FOX LEE PLAZA HACKENSACK FORT LEE ENGLEWOOD Also at these theatres FABIAN, MTUt son MONTAUK, passaic LAFAYETTE, surrrm ny.

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m. Feb. 26-Mor. 10 Arlene tmnri in "JAKUS" I Theotr Hr IIIrilifAAMm tXU-USIVE BtRits COUNTY SHOWING -NOW-.