There was an important change by the Elitch management in its handling of congratulatory telegrams they received each year upon the season opening. The Elitch Gardener weekly publication described the change.
For years the Elitch Gardens management and the members of the Elitch Theatre Company have received congratulatory telegrams from famous actors and playwrights on the opening night of the summer stock season. These wires always have been kept in the office of the management or in the dressing rooms of the players. This year, prompted by the thought that the Theatre patrons might enjoy reading these telegrams, some of the messages were pinned up on a board in front of the Theatre on the opening night of The Swan.
Among the many telegrams received was the often quoted one from Cecil B. De Mille in which he described the Elitch Theatre as “one of the greatest cradles of the drama in American history.” Among the many others who sent best wishes were Bruce McRae, Helen Menken, May Buckley, Lynn Fontaine and Alfred Lunt.
May Buckley, a favorite leading woman at Elitch in past seasons, wired from a one-night stand at Madison, Wisconsin, the following:
The happiest memories of my life are connected with those glorious gardens and dear Mrs. Elitch Long. A happy, glorious season to you all.
[Borrillo, T. A. (2012). Denver’s historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey (a history of its times). Colorado. p. 138]
Theatre Staff:
- J. M. Mulvihill, President
- George L. Roberts, Treasurer
- Melville Burks, Stage Director
- Frank McDonald, Stage Manager
- G. Bradford Ashworth, Art Director
Resident Company:
- Florence Eldridge
- Cora Witherspoon
- Beulah Bondi
- Margaret Shackelford
- Winifred Durie
- Edna James
- Marion Swayne
- Frederic March
- Douglas Dumbrille
- Moffat Johnston
- L’ Estrange Millman
- Edward Butler
- William Carey
Productions:
- Week of June 12: The Swan, by Ferenc Molnar
- Week of June 20: Love ‘Em and Leave ’Em, by George Abbott and John V. A. Weaver
- Week of June 27: Dancing Mothers, by Edgar Selwyn and Edmund Goulding
- Week of July 4: The Music Master, by Charles Klein
- Week of July 11: Craig’s Wife, by George Kelly
- Week of July 18: The Poor Nut, by J. C. and Elliott Nugent
- Week of July 25: Icebound, by Owen Davis
- Week of Aug. 1: Not Herbert, by Howard Irving Young
- Week of Aug. 8: Liliom, by Ferenc Molnar. Because of the illness of Cora Witherspoon, the role of Mrs. Muskat was played by Mary Morris.
- Week of Aug. 15: Easy Come, Easy Go, by Owen Davis
- Week of Aug. 22: Hell-Bent fer Heaven, by Hatcher Hughes.
- Week of Aug. 29: These Charming People, by Michael Arlen.
