Once again, telegrams from theatrical and motion picture notables from all over the country poured in to Arnold B. Gurtler expressing wishes for an exceptional season of the Theatre. Among the well-wishers were Mary Pickford, Donald Woods, Bing Crosby, Gary Cooper, George Raft, Fredric March and Florence Eldridge.
The leading lady for the season was Rose Hobart, and the leading man was Kent Smith. This season, the cast welcomed two members whose roots were in Colorado. Leona Powers was born in Salida, Colorado and attended school in Denver for four years before playing stock from coast to coast. As a child, she played with such stars as Maude Adams, Richard Mansfield, the three Barrymores and John Drew. She played in many New York productions and the audience welcomed her return to Denver. Bradford Hatton had extensive experience in stock and had been with George Somnes in New York for the past three seasons before returning for this season as stage manager.
[Borrillo, T. A. (2012). Denver’s historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey (a history of its times). Colorado. p. 190]
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:
- Rose Hobart
- Katherine Meskill
- Kathleen Fitz
- Leona Powers
- Helen Bonfils
- Kent Smith
- Frederick Tozere
- Walter Baldwin
- Richard Kendrick
- Charles Dingle
- Walter Greaza
Productions:
- Week of June 11: Tovarich, by Jacques Jeval
- Week of June 19: Idiot’s Delight, by Robert E. Sherwood
- Week of June 26: Room Service, by John Murray and Allen Boretz
- Week of July 3: The Old Maid, by Zoe Akins
- Week of July 10: Stop-Over, by Matt and Sam Taylor
- Week of July 17: Tonight at 8:30, by Noel Coward. The three one-act plays presented were Hands Across the Sea, Fumed Oak, and Ways and Means.
- Week of July 24: First Lady, by Katharine Dayton and George S. Kaufman
- Week of July 31: Yes, My Darling Daughter, by Mark Reed
- Week of Aug. 7: Parnell, by Elsie Schauffler
- Week of Aug. 14: Once Is Enough, by Frederick Lonsdale
