Venue(s):
Butler's American Theatre [444 Bdway--before 3/66]
Proprietor / Lessee:
Robert W. [manager] Butler
Conductor(s):
Fred Van Olker
Ballet Director / Choreographer:
Paul Brilliant
Price: $.25
Event Type:
Minstrel, Variety / Vaudeville
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
29 January 2016
Testimonial was for “one of the originators of the burnt cork biz, that favorite contraband delineator, Charley White. . . . [H]ad the house been enlarged to twice its dimensions for this night only, all could have got seats and enjoyed the show – as it was, half had to go it standing. There were no volunteers, only the regular company, which has to be of the first ability to make both ends meet without the aid of ‘lo necs’[sic] and short skirts. The pieces in which Charley appeared … all, we believe, his own productions. . . . The fellers are headed by the ever fresh Tony Pastor, high-cockalorum of comic singers; he is most too hard, though, on somebody in that album song – draw it mild, Tony, for two of ‘em happened in that very night – a fact. . . . Pony Smith’s about as popular as anybody in ‘Hop lite loo’ and songs of that ilk; Whiting, though not much of a singer, is the nattiest laugher around; Eagan is perfectly awful on tactics in … making up for a rather monotonous voice; and generally speaking, all are much above the average. . . . In fact, the whole show went off as Charley’s best friends could have wished. He was called upon for a speech, and saluted with ‘three-times-three,’ the last as unanimous as the first. That’s the right way to do it.”