An article in the Rocky Mountain News referenced comments made in Time magazine that expressed the continuing popularity of Elitch Theatre throughout the country.
Denver is becoming more and more important in the nation’s scientific, literary and cultural life. Evidence of this pops up daily. In mind at the moment is (the) July 5 issue of Time. Out of seven columns devoted to theater, Denver’s own Elitch Gardens gets the biggest slice. Says the magazine:
“Elitch Gardens is the great-grandfather of all U.S. summer stock companies … (since the opening) the place has been a repository of big names ever since … nearly every personage in U.S. show business, from General and Mrs. Tom Thumb to Douglas Fairbanks, has at one time or another played Elitch.”
The Season
Kenneth MacKenna returned for the second successive season as the leading man. Barbara Robbins was the leading lady. A note in the Elitch program states, “Kenneth MacKenna, Barbara Robbins and others of the company hurry up Lookout Mountain practically every evening after the show … They never tire of the view of Denver as seen from Wildcat point …”
George Somnes was director for the season, and Brad Hatton was the stage manager. Victor Paganuzzi, an artist new to Denver, was the scenic designer. He remained at the Gardens for nine successive seasons through 1945.
The play selection included George Kelley’s Reflected Glory, Bella and Samuel Spewack’s Boy Meets Girl, and two plays by Maxwell Anderson, Both Your Houses and Winterset.
[Borrillo, T. A. (2012). Denver’s historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey (a history of its times). Colorado. p. 186-187]
Theatre Staff:
- Arnold B. Gurtler, President and Treasurer
- Marie M. Gurtler, Secretary
- George Somnes, Director
- Bradford Hatton, Stage Manager
- Victor Paganuzzi, Scenic Director
Resident Company:
- Barbara Robbins
- Madeline Clive
- Ona Munson
- Minna Phillips
- Helen Bonfils
- Kenneth MacKenna
- Walter Gilbert
- Phillip Ober
- Frank Jacquet
- James Spottswood
Productions:
- Week of June 12: Reflected Glory, by George Kelly
- Week of June 20: Hitch Your Wagon, by Bernard C. Schoenfeld
- Week of June 27: Love from a Stranger, by Frank Vosper
- Week of July 4: Both Your Houses, by Maxwell Anderson
- Week of July 11: Sun Kissed, by Raymond Van Sickle
- Week of July 18: Winterset, by Maxwell Anderson
- Week of July 25: Call It a Day, by Dodie Smith
- Week of Aug. 1: Autumn Crocus, by C.L. Anthony
- Week of Aug. 8: Captain Applejack, by Walter Hackett
- Week of Aug. 15: Boy Meets Girl, by Bella and Samuel Spewack
- Week of Aug. 22: Penny Wise, by Jean Ferguson Black. Mr. MacKenna played his original role of Gordon.
- Week of Aug. 29: Excursion, by Victor Wolfson.
