Page:Levenson - Butterfly Man.djvu/180



A TWO-WEEK notice terminating the Broadway engagement of "Sweeter Than Sweet" was posted on the backstage bulletin board. No reason was ascribed for the sudden closing which mystified both cast and public. Henry Colman, startled by the news, drank seven Martinis with a dash of absinthe one after the other. The chorus, in a panic because of the threatened departure from New York, went on a collective spree. All the boys, except Frankie Regan, decided not to go on the road. The spoiled darlings of Jules Monroe's chorus preferred Broadway to Main Street.

Howard Vee did not visit the Commodore Theatre during the balance of the run. Sidewalk gossip spread a story that he was seriously ill. A morning newspaper writer ventured to surmise that Henry Colman had taken advantage of some technicality in the lease-hold to dispossess the youthful producer. Because of the shockingly unexpected disruption of their personal plans, the company lost its carefree mood. On the closing night a farewell party was given by Willis P. Flint. It did not help to revive spirits. Several of the principals, including Ken, failed to appear at the party, at which the guest of honor was Myra Malloy. "Ga-ga" had succumbed to Flint's generosity, and had become his acknowledged "'girl friend." At this party, which had been well advertised in the press, a telegram was received from Howard Vee. It read: