American Music Hall

The American Music Hall , also known as the American Theater until 1908, was one of the oldest Broadway venues . Located at 260 West 42nd Street , it was designed by the architect Charles C. Haight , with a capacity of 2,065. It opened on May 22, 1888. ^[1]

By 1929, it was a Mutual burlesque house. On December 19, 1930, the interior was destroyed by a fire that started in the balcony after the evening performance of the Mutual show "Nite Life in Paris". ^[2] With the Depression on, there was little interest in restoring the theater, and it was demolished in 1932. ^[3]

Partial list of notable productions

La Gioconda , opera with soprano Yvonne de Treville in the title role (1899) ^[4]
Checkers , play by Henry Blossom (1903) ^[5]
Around the Clock , musical by composer Lee Orean Smith and starring comedian Billie Ritchie (1906 & 1908) ^[6]

References

^ Brown, Thomas Allston A History of the New York Stage, Vol. 3. Dodd, Mead and Company; New York; 1903:579
^ "Fire Closes American; 1 Wheel Show Folds" . Variety : 37. December 24, 1930 ? via Media History Digital Library .
^ "American Music Hall" . Internet Broadway Database .
^ "DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL; Mrs. Fiske as "Frou-Frou" and a New Casino Play. LA GIOCONDA" IN ENGLISH Last of the Wagner Cycles -- Various Changes of Bill -- Music Hall "Turns." " . The New York Times . March 21, 1899. p.?7.
^ "Notes on Plays; "Checkers" Something New in Melodrama at the American Theatre". The New York Times . October 1, 1903. p.?5.
^ Reeder, Thomas. " 'The L-Ko Komedy Kompany': Lehrman's Baby" . Mr. Suicide: Henry Pathe Lehrman and The Birth of Silent . Bear Manor Media. ISBN 978-1629331621 .

External links

Media related to Loew's American Theatre at Wikimedia Commons

40°45′24″N 73°59′23″W ? / ? 40.7568°N 73.9896°W ? / 40.7568; -73.9896

[1] Brown, Thomas Allston A History of the New York Stage, Vol. 3. Dodd, Mead and Company; New York; 1903:579

[fca_variety-2] "Fire Closes American; 1 Wheel Show Folds" . Variety : 37. December 24, 1930 ? via Media History Digital Library .

[3] "American Music Hall" . Internet Broadway Database .

[4] "DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL; Mrs. Fiske as "Frou-Frou" and a New Casino Play. LA GIOCONDA" IN ENGLISH Last of the Wagner Cycles -- Various Changes of Bill -- Music Hall "Turns." " . The New York Times . March 21, 1899. p.?7.

[5] "Notes on Plays; "Checkers" Something New in Melodrama at the American Theatre". The New York Times . October 1, 1903. p.?5.

[6] Reeder, Thomas. " 'The L-Ko Komedy Kompany': Lehrman's Baby" . Mr. Suicide: Henry Pathe Lehrman and The Birth of Silent . Bear Manor Media. ISBN 978-1629331621 .

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