The Easiest Way - Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911 | Page 2

and re-casting until ready for metropolitan production. His dramas have many _aliases_, and it is a long case to prove an alibi; any student who has attempted to settle dates will soon find that out. His military play, written out of his experiences as a United States cavalryman in the Spanish American War, was called "Boots and Saddles," after it was given as "Sergeant James." "Fine Feathers," "The Knife," "The Heritage," "Nancy Lee"--were all second or third choice as to name.
In his advancement, Mr. Walter gives much credit to three American managers--Kirke LaShelle, and the Selwyn brothers, Archie and Edgar. It was the Selwyns who, during his various ventures in the "show business," persuaded him to move to Shelter Island, and write "The Undertow." It was in their house that "Paid in Full" was finished. Let Mr. Walter continue the narrative:
The circumstances under which "The Easiest Way" was written are rather peculiar. When I was an advance-agent, ahead of second-class companies, the need of money caused me to write a one-act piece called "All the Way from Denver," which in time I was able to dispose of. Later, after having written "Paid in Full," I realized that in the play, "All the Way from Denver," there was a situation or theme that might prove exceedingly valuable in a four-act play. After discussing the possibilities with Mr. Archie Selwyn, we concluded to write it. In the meantime, the one-act piece had come into the possession of Margaret Mayo, and through her, Mr. Edgar Selwyn decided that the title should be "The Easiest Way" instead of "All the Way from Denver."
The play was then taken in its scenario form to Mr. C.B. Dillingham, and discussed with him at length. This was prior to the public presentation of "Paid in Full." I possessed no particular reputation as a dramatic writer--in fact, the Messrs. Selwyn--Archie and Edgar--were the only ones who took me seriously, and thought me a possibility. Mr. Dillingham was not particularly impressed with the piece, because he thought it was much too broad in theme, and he did not like the idea of slapping the managerial knuckles of the theatre. Further, the obvious inference in "The Easiest Way," that Laura was kept out of work in order to be compelled to yield herself to _Brockton_, was a point which did not appeal to him. However, we had a working agreement with him, and later, Mr. Archie Selwyn, in discussing the story of the play with Mr. David Belasco, aroused his interest. The latter saw "Paid in Full" and "The Wolf," and so he sent for me, with the result that "The Easiest Way" was first produced in Hartford, Conn., on December 31, 1908. Since its New York production, it has been presented in nearly every country of the world. It has not always met with commercial success, but it has always been regarded as a play of representative importance.
William Winter was one of the bitterest enemies of "The Easiest Way." He placed it with "Zaza" and Brieux's "Three Daughters of M. Dupont." As an opposite extreme view, we give the opinion of Mr. Walter Eaton, written in 1909, concerning the play: "It places Mr. Walter as a leader among our dramatists." In some respects, we may have surpassed it since then, in imaginative ideality; but, as an example of relentless realism, it still holds its own as a distinct contribution. The text has been edited for private circulation, and it is this text which is followed here. A few modifications, of a technical nature, have been made in the stage directions; but even with these slight changes, the directions are staccato, utilitarian in conciseness, rather than literary in the Shaw sense.

DAVID BELASCO'S STUYVESANT THEATRE
44th STREET near BROADWAY New York City Under the sole management of DAVID BELASCO
DAVID BELASCO PRESENTS FRANCES STARR --IN-- THE EASIEST WAY
An American play concerning a peculiar phase of New York life.
In Four Acts and Four Scenes.
By EUGENE WALTER.
CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY
JOHN MADISON EDWARD H. ROBINS
WILLARD BROCKTON JOSEPH KILCOUR
JIM WESTON WILLIAM SAMPSON
LAURA MURDOCK FRANCES STARR
ELFIE ST. CLAIR LAURA NELSON HALL
ANNIE EMMA DUNN
Program Continued on Second Page Following
PROGRAM CONTINUED.
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SYNOPSIS.
ACT I.--Mrs. William's ranch house or country home, perched on the side of the Ute Pass, near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Time--Late in an August afternoon.
ACT II.--Laura Murdock's furnished room, second story, back. New York. Time--Six months later.
ACT III.--Laura Murdock's apartments in an expensive hotel. New York. Time--Two months later. In the morning.
ACT IV.--The same at Act III. Time--The same afternoon.
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The play produced under the personal supervision of Mr. Belasco.
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PROGRAM CONTINUED ON SECOND PAGE FOLLOWING.
PROGRAM CONTINUED.
Stage Director William J. Dean Stage Manager Langdon West
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Stage decorations and accessories designed by Wilfred Buckland.
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Scenes by