1933

The regular season at Elitch Theatre was to open with the play Forsaking All others, However, the season began earlier than scheduled with another play. A road show production of the comedy Her Majesty the Widow, starring Pauline Frederick and her excellent company, was originally scheduled to open at the Broadway Theater in Denver for a week. Arthur M. Oberfelder, with whom the actress was under contract, sensed the cool surroundings of Elitch Gardens would be a better site for the production. Miss Frederick’s reaction to the change was a happy one as she held the Elitch Theatre in high esteem. Arrangements were made with Arnold B. Gurtler to accommodate the play and it was presented for five nights from June 19th through June 23rd. When the change in venue was announced, it resulted in a deluge of mail orders for seats. Pauline Frederick was described as “one of the most distinguished stars of stage and screen … (and) of the very few to win worldwide fame in both fields.”

The leads of the resident company were Donald Woods and Margalo Gillmore. Miss Gillmore was born in London into an acting family. While still a child she was brought to America, where she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her father, Frank Gillmore, was president of Actors’ Equity. She appeared in numerous Broadway plays and was much admired for her beauty and fine talent. G. Bradford Ashworth returned as scenic designer. Addison Pitt was new to Elitch as a director; however, in 1903 he had appeared at Elitch as the juvenile with the Henrietta Crosman Company…. He remained as director at Elitch through the 1935 season.

[Borrillo, T. A. (2012). Denver’s historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey (a history of its times). Colorado. p. 171-172]