The Pierces: society entertainers

              191?
THE PIERCES

Figure

SOCIETY ENTERTAINERS
CENTRAL P. B. E. CO.   ROOMESTER. N. Y.



Announcement
IN presenting Mr. and Mrs. Pierce in their interpretive program of sketches and short plays, we do so knowing it will supply a long felt need in the modern lyceum.  During our many years of experience in dealing with committees representing the lyceum public, we have made a constant study of the form of entertainment that pleases most and the reason it satisfies.  The program which most universally gratifies is the one affording splendid variety with every feature whether classical or popular artistically presented.  The personality of the platformist has much to do with his reception by the audience.  The Pierces have a most charming and winsome personality which explains why they are so popular both on and off the platform.  This fact, combined with their clever impersonations, explains the cause of their many appearances.

After ten years of lyceum experience, and during recent years conducting the Department of Oratory and School of Expression at Mt. Union College, Alliance, Ohio, The Pierces are admirably fitted to present artistic programs demanded by lyceum patrons.  Their portrayals are true to life whether the type be taken from society or quaint rural life.  Their character studies whether humorous or serious really exist and are never a burlesque.  The effect produced is greatly strengthened by correct costuming.  For their short plays they present sketches as effective in morals and uplifting in thought as the lecturer and in a highly entertaining manner.

Their many years of service in lyceum and Chautauqua work is convincing evidence of their increasing popularity.  We unhesitatingly recommend them for any grade of courses and guarantee the fullest satisfaction.

THE COIT LYCEUM BUREAU

SHORT PLAYS
given in costume; every character taken from real life.  Wigs and make-up are used for all the characters and characterizations.  These plays are Humorous and Dramatic, possessing a good moral throughout.


Figure


SHE:—Well Capt. Huntington you are so very retiring, I don't see but I shall have to propose to you in her place.

HE:—Why Miss Huntington, say, do you know you would lay me under an eternal obligation for life, if you could do anything like that.

WHAT ARE THE PLAYS?

I consider your play, The Lawyer's Advice, better than any sermon I ever heard along this line.  We want you to come back next year and give us two programs.—Millersburg, Ohio, Chautauqua.


Figure


SHE:—Now see here Capt. Huntington why don't you practice proposing to me; you wouldn't be afraid of me, now would you?

HE:—Not afraid to practice I guess as far as that goes.





And he shaked an apple down for me an another one too for 'Lizabeth Ann and another too for the Raggedy Man.

Dr. W. L. Davidson
Washington, D. C.
THE PIERCES, Society Entertainers, have been with me on a number of occasions at my Chautauquas, and always to my satisfaction and to the delight of the people.  They are cultured, lovely people whom it is a joy to know.  Their programs are exceedingly artistic.  They present only those things which are clean as mountain rills.  The numbers are well costumed, and both of them are trained readers and give their delightful comedies in a most satisfactory fashion.  They have an unlimited repertoire.  I commend them in the highest terms.



F. A. Boggess
Manager Chautauqua, Boulder, Col.
It is so difficult to find entertainers, advertising work of your type, who do not in some degree stoop to the undesirable features of the vaudeville.  I am glad to say that you appear to be entirely free from this.  Mrs. Pierce, I regard your impersonation of the little girl as the best thing of the kind I have ever seen.  I want to say just one more thing and that is that no matter how light and humorous your sketches are, there seems always to be an evident purpose to leave an uplifting inspiration with your audience.


ROSSIE:—Sam always did call me bruver, I don't know why it was 'less cause his muver and my muver was the same woman; and we never had no sisters.




Specimen Two-Your Program
(The Pierces have five other Programs for return engagements just as good as the one below.)


Man Proposes
Grundy


Capt. Winter, who becomes Capt. Huntington



Miss Campbell, otherwise Miss Huntington



Scene from Les Miserables
Hugo


A Child Study (in Costume)
Adapted from Well Known Writers


Rossie's Letter: a Character Study in Costume



The Test of The Heart
Anonymous


Desire
Edmund Vance Cooke


At Sunset
Margaret E. Sangster


The Lawyer's Advice
Pierces


Judge Andrews
The Village Lawyer


Mrs. Parsons
A Summer Boarder






LAWYER:—My dear young woman you have everything to live for, a husband and a little girl; it will all come out right some time.  I am just sure it will or I wouldn't tell you so.



LAWYER:—I wish you would read it to me out loud, your voice reminds me of hers, don't you know?





What the Bureau Managers Say
BOSTON, MASS. (THE WHITE ENTERTAINMENT BUREAU)—Dear Mr. Rice: I want to say just a word regarding The Pierces.  They are delightful entertainers.  You could not make a mistake in booking them on your best courses.  I am sure they will satisfy any audience.

HARRISBURG, PA. (JOHN S. ARNOLD)—CENTRAL LYCEUM BUREAU.  Dear Mr. Pierce: I never knew before that you had thought of four people.  I know that you gave excellent satisfaction while in my territory with the two people.  I must say that I have no complaint on anything.  I have heard no criticism against you, but have had many letters praising your work very much.

BROOKHAVEN, MISS. (T. P. SCOTT)—The Pierces gave us a splendid entertainment to-night.  It was one of the best we have had this season, and was well received by a large audience.  I commend them to you with pleasure as a fine attraction.

ROCHESTER, N. H.—Their impersonations were exceedingly well done, and unlike the work of the ordinary reader or reciter.

BOSTON, MASS. (GEO. W. BRITT, LECTURE AND MUSICAL AGENCY)—Dear Pierces: Well I hope you got the bundle of forwarded letters O. K. Now right here (Lest we forget) I want to tell you, that had any one told me you two folks were the same that I heard at Cambridge, Vt., some time back, I would have doubted my own eyes.  The whole evening has been strengthened in every way, more dignified, more even throughout, and from every possible standpoint (from my way of looking at it) you have a splendid performance.


Figure


CLEVELAND, O. (COIT LYCEUM BUREAU)—Dear Mr. Pierce: I must say that I was delighted with your work and think there is a field for it, and the only question is, that it may take some hard work to get the committees to see it.  There is no question about the merit of it when you get before the audience.

LIVINGSTON, ALA. (R. H. BACHMANN, PRIN. GRADED SCHOOL)—Gentlemen: I do not know where I can reach The Pierces now.  But I want them to know that whenever they come to Livingston again, we will always guarantee them a good house and an appreciative audience They will surely take good care of an audience, and an evening with them is well spent and always enjoyed.  All our people without a dissenting voice were well pleased and want them to return to our town.  We found out that they had an open date on Tuesday night (being with us on Saturday), and we, being ashamed of the house we had for them on Saturday, persuaded them to give us the open date and gave them a guarantee, paid all licenses, and had a little money for our trouble to persuade them.  The second night was much better than the first, and the first was excellent and much better than anything we have had.  We accompany them with our hearty good wishes and grant them a standing invitation to return.

AKRON, O. (SPILLMAN RIGGS): CENTRAL LYCEUM BUREAU —Dear Mr. Pierce: I want The Pierces alone for next season.  You have made good in my territory and do not need any more people in your company, as you have made a decided success this season.



EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT
THE COIT LYCEUM BUREAU
CLEVELAND, OHIO



THE CAXTON COMPANY, CLEVELAND