Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1909 — CLIMBING UP THE THEATRICAL LADDER. [ARTICLE]

CLIMBING UP THE THEATRICAL LADDER.

Augustus Phillips to be Belasco’s Leading Man at the Alcazar Theatre In San Francisco. Gus Phillips, who gained his first experience as an actor while a student of the Rensselaer high school and whose histronic ambition led him to join a traveling company, and who later made a hit as a member of the Spooner company in New York and Brooklyn and later starred in the Schubert production of “The Wolf,” continues to ascend the ladder of fame in the theatrical world. He has written hls„„brother Fred that he has signed a contract with David Belasco for a 45 weeks’ engagement as leading man in stock at the Alcazar theatre in San Francisco. He will receive S2OO a week for the first year and has the option of returning for future years at an increase of SSO a week, receiving that raise in salary each season as long as he cares about returing. The Alcazar theatre is said to be the finest stock theatre in the world, and as Belasco is the greatest theatrical manager in the world, it will be seen that Gus’ talent lias attracted wide attention and is rapidly,, making him one of the greatest actors of the time. “The Wolf’ closed its season two weeks ago, and Gus is in New York for a short time, and during the week of May 17th he will play in a New York theatre in a company in which Cecil Spooner has a part. He will probably spend a part of June, and July with his father and relatives in Rensselaer and depart for San Francisco about the first of August. His many Rensselaer friends will be pleased to learn of his rapidly increasing success, and to know that his ability has been recognized by David Belasco.