After two seasons without theater, John Mulvihill made the decision to reopen the Theatre for the 1920 season. It was a decision that the citizens of Denver awaited, as did the rest of the theatrical world. The Denver Post drama editor welcomed the challenge in an article that appeared on the eve of opening night:
It is good to know that Elitch is to make an attempt to return to the theatrical field. Word has come to me from New York that there is quite as much excitement about the Lambs and Greenroom clubs over the opening of Elitch in Denver as there has been over any theatrical event in months. Many of the prominent stars of Broadway look back with happy memories to the days when they spent their summers playing to bright and jolly crowds in Elitch and send “the best of luck” to the new company which will attempt Monday night to bring the Gardens back to their old glory. It will, indeed, be like old times to go out to the Gardens and see a play. I presume Mrs. Mary Elitch Long will be there with all the sweetness, charm and lovableness of character that is really a part of the memories of old Elitch.
[Borrillo, T. A. (2012). Denver’s historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey (a history of its times). Colorado. p. 121.]
The play that closed the season was written by a Denver playwrite:
“The summer season at Elitch’s Gardens; as far as the theater is concerned, will be brought to a close tonight when ‘Coming Home’ will be played for the last time. This play, written by Lute H. Johnson of Denver…”
[The Rocky Mountain News (Daily), Volume 61, Number 235, August 22, 1920]
“‘Lute H’ (Lucius Henry) Johnson, in addition to writing short stories for The Great Divide and other magazines, deserves special mention as one of the very few Coloradoans who have written for the stage. Three of his plays, Magnolia Plantation, Coming Home, and Sheep, have been successfully produced. The last-named was put on by Walker Whiteside at the Broadway Theater in March, 1924, was afterwards well received in several western and eastern cities, including Washington, and favorably reviewed by leading critics. It is a real Western drama. Mr. Johnson’s new musical comedy, Tom, the music for which was written by Robert Hayes, of Cheyenne Wells, is now in the hands of a New York producer.”
[Colorado: Short Studies of its Past and Present. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. 1927. P. 177.]
Theatre Staff:
- J. M. Mulvihill, President
- Rollo Lloyd, Stage Director
- Richard Carlyle, Stage Manager
Resident Company:
- Ann Mason
- Helen Luttrell
- Marion Ballou
- Peggy Boland
- Emily Taft
- Charles Trowbridge
- Hal Crane
- Richard Carlyle
- Berle Mitchell
- Albert Brown,
- George Pauncefort
- Beach Cooke.
Productions:
- Week of June 28: Polly with a Past, by George Middleton and Guy Bolton.
- Week of July 5: A Prince There Was, by George M. Cohan.
- Week of July 19: Peter Ibbetson, by Gerald Du Maurier.
- Week of July 26: Daddies, by John L. Hobble.
- Week of Aug. 2: Twelfth Night, by Williams Shakespeare, with Ann Mason as Viola, Rollo Lloyd as Orsino, and Albert Brown as Malvolio.
- Week of Aug. 9: Daybreak, by Jane Cowl and Jane Murfin.
- Week of Aug. 16: Coming Home, by Lute H. Johnson (world premiere).
