Past Shows - 1865 TO 1899
CHRONOLOGY of THE NATIONAL THEATRE
TIMELINE A - 1865 to 1889
This record is a work in progress. Click below for time segments
1835
- 1864
1900 -1924
1925
- 1949
1950
- 1999
2000
- the present
Click
here for sources and other notes.
Abbreviations
SN refers to Stage for a Nation, Lee, Meersman,
Murphy, 1985, the official history of The National.
HNNT refers to History of the New National Theatre
by Alexander Hunter and J. H. Polkinhorn, November, 1954
ON refers to a series of orange notebooks containing
information taken from the files of the Washington Historical Society
on productions at the National beginning in 1835. Information culled
from The Intelligencer newspaper files of the Martin Luther King
Library. There are no program files for these entries.
Rapley Files - William W. Rapley was an owner and
manager of the theatre in the 1860's and the 1870's. He was later
succeeded by his son, Harry W. Rapley.
Sources:
List A: A first computerized partial listing of titles of attractions
at the National Theatre was assembled by General Manager Richard
Schneider about 1987, apparently from playbills.
List B: A second more elaborate computer listing from 1982 included
dates, titles, and some performer annotation. This list included
many performances other than those at the National, and seems to
be the record of one east-coast theatre-goer's programs beginning
in 1943.
Personal Recollection: On a regular basis, individuals report specific
information which they know of "first-hand." We are told,
for example, that Billie Burke, Al Jolson and Chita Rivera are all
"Washingtonians." Chita attended Haywood School here.
Compilation of information Further work was done by President Donn
B. Murphy, and Archivist Thomas S. Shorebird, from 1988 through
1993. Dr. Murphy and Anthony Stewart made entries from 1993 through
1997.
Work to incorporate material from other files into a comprehensive
chronology was done by volunteer archivists Melvin Goldberg, Bayla
White, Mary Haley, Elaine Kolodny and Celia Shapiro over a multi-year
period beginning in 2000.
Notes
Where only the year and not the specific play dates of attractions
are known, the show titles are listed prior to dated attractions,
except when the dates for other attractions known to have played
in January make it clear that the undated attractions were later
in the year.
Abbreviations
SN refers to Stage for a Nation, Lee, Meersman, Murphy, 1985, the
official history of The National.
HNNT refers to History of the New National Theatre by Alexander
Hunter and J. H. Polkinhorn, November, 1954
ON refers to a series of orange notebooks containing information
taken from the files of the Washington Historical Society on productions
at the National beginning in 1835. Information culled from The Intelligencer
newspaper files of the Martin Luther King Library. There are no
program files for these entries.
Rapley Files - William W. Rapley was an owner and manager of the
theatre in the 1860's and the 1870's. He was later succeeded by
his son, Harry W. Rapley.
PRODUCTION DATES UNKNOWN
"Undated playbills [or other references] were found for all
of [the next listed] shows. Further research is needed to ascertain
whether these are the same as already dated shows or other [additional
scheduled bookings]." The shows whose booking dates are un-ascertained
are listed below. Dates of at least one engagement are listed after
those which have been located.
BALLETS ESPANGNOL: TERESA AND LUISILLO
BILLIE TAYLOR
BLUE BEARD AND THE HEATHEN CHINEE
FORGOTTEN FACTOR, THE
HOW TO MAKE HOME HAPPY
MIRIAM WINSLOW AND HER DANCERS
OUTLAW, THE
OXYGEN, OR GAS IN BURLESQUE METER
PINK DOMINOES circa 1888 - based on the poem by Rudyard Kipling
SHARPS AND FLATS (1800's?)
TEN COMMANDMENTS, THE (Film)
TWO KEYS, THE
VILLAR'S DRAGOONS
ZANDER THE GREAT, April 2, ???, Alice Brady and Jerome Patrick.
Comedy by Salisbury Field, produced by Charles Frohman
1865
John Wilkes Booth appeared as Romeo to the retiring Miss Avonia
Jones' Juliet at a benefit performance.
Dates Unknown but before April 1865 [Rapley file]
LEAH THE FORSAKEN – Starring Avonia Jones.
THE JEWISH MOTHER – Starring Ms. Vestvali
FAUST
OTHELLO – Starring Davenport
HUNCHBACK – Starring Mary Provost
LITTLE BAREFOOT – Starring Charlotte Thompson
March 1865
HAMLET – Starring one of the Booths.
April 14, 1865
MAZEPPA, OR THE WILD HORSE OF TARTARY featuring Kay Vance and her
trained horse, Don Juan.
LINCOLN ASSASSINATED Tad Lincoln was attending a performance at
The National when he learned of his father's assassination three
blocks away at Ford's Theatre. The National closed indefinitely
as part of the nation's mourning. SN, p. 50-53.
LOVE'S SACRIFICE
June 7, 1865
UNCLE TOM’S CABIN (or Life Among the Lowly) - “The Great
American Life Drama” Starring Little Katie Baker, Susan Denin,
Martha Wren and Mrs. C.B. Baker. Performance included Patriotic
Tableau of Uncle Tom’s Vision of the Future with the same
stars.
June 8, 1865
SEA OF ICE - a great romantic spectacular drama.
June 10, 1865
GRAND FAMILY MATINEE
FALL 1865 National Theatre reopened
HOLMAN OPERA TROUPE
WILD OATS – Starring comedian James E. Murdock
LOVE’S SACRIFICE – sentimental comedy starring Mrs.
D. P. Bowers
1866
A photo-mural displayed on the rear wall of The National Theatre’s
Executive Office shows the National’s exterior during the
month of January 1868. This particular erection of The National
burned on January 28, 1873, and again on February 27, 1885. During
the fire in 1885, both the front and rear walls collapsed.
January 8 through January 27, 1866
Maggie Mitchell alternating with FANCHON, THE CRICKET and LITTLE
BAREFOOT.
February 5 through February 10, 1866
GROVER’S GRAND GERMAN OPERA presenting Martha, Faust, Robert
le Diable, Fra Diavolo, The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni. Starring
Madame Bertha Johannsen.
In the latter part of March, 1866
performances picked up when Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean appeared in
HENRY VIII.
May 1866 [Rapley file]
OTHELLO – by William Shakespeare. Starring J. Newton Gothold
June 1, 1866
John Thompson Ford (temporary management of theatre).
July 1866 [Rapley file]
THE LUBIN BROTHERS
Fall and Winter Season
Management: Spaulding and Rapley
Renamed Theatre: National Theatre
Proprietor; Spaulding and Rapley
THE BLACK CROOK
THE OCTAROON by Dion Boucicault
MACBETH by William Shakespeare
DEBORAH
THE POOR GENTLEMAN
SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM
In early December, former manager, treasurer, door-keeper and
stage manager of the National Theater, Joseph Jefferson drew crowds
as Bob Acres in THE RIVALS, CALEB PLUMMER, and his most famous role,
RIP VAN WINKLE. SN, p.53
1867
February 13, 1867 [xerox only]
MEDEA – adapted from the French by Oliver C. Wyman. Starring
Mrs. Lander, C. Pope, , H.S. Murdoch, Frank Read, Katie Kincade,
Miss Jeffries, G.A. Parkhurst, G. Morton, R. Buell, R. Frazier,
Mary Lenney, Mrs. C.L. Allen.
THE LOAN OF A LOVER – a musical comedietta. Starring W.W.
Jeffries, J. Stevens, H. McDouall, J.P. Killbourne, Mrs. F. Williams,
Mrs. Mary Lenny.
February 14,1867 [xerox only]
ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND
1868
January [Rapley file]
GRAND DUCHESS – Offenbach’s opera bouffe.
Spring season
Edwin Booth played the Cardinal in RICHELIEU.
September 7, 1868 [xerox only]
THE BLACK CROOK – spectacle in four acts presented by The
Parisienne Ballet Troupe.
December 18, 1868
FIDELIO – Beethoven opera. Performers include Madame Cellini,
Madame Rotter, Herr Habelmann, Herr Formes, Herr Reichardt and Joseph
Hermanns. Conductor, Max Maretzek.
December 19, 1868 [matinee]
MARTHA – opera.
December 19, 1868 [no program file]
IL TROVATORE – Verdi opera
December 28, 1868 through January 2, 1869
THE BLACK CROOK – grand spectacular drama starring M’lle
Wesmael, M’lle Christine, M’lle Emily Rigl, Martino
Malino and the Zavistowski sisters.
1869
January 4 through January 9, 1869 [no program file]
UNDINE OR THE NAIAD QUEEN
January 11 through January 16, 1869
IXION – a burlesque. Starring Emeline Zavistowski, preceded
by THE FRENCH SPY, a romantic military drama starring, M’lle
Christine.
January 18 through January 23, 1869
AFTER DARK – drama by Boucicault. Starring Blanch de Bar,
Miss Florence Stanley and C.B. Bishop.
January 25 through January 30, 1869
THE CHAPMAN SISTERS -- starring in two burlesque performances: Family
Jars and Cinderella. Miss Blanche Chapman and Miss Ella Chapman
were supported by Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Bishop, G.A. Parkhurst, Joseph
Parker, M.A. Kennedy, Mrs. Meeker, Miss Florence Stanley, Miss Annie
Dunn.
March 1 through March 13 (??), 1869
HUMPTY DUMPTY! – Starring Mr. Hernandez Foster, M’lle
Emeline, M’lle Alice, M’lle Christine.
March 15 through March 26, 1869
FRENCH OPERA – performing Monsieur Choufleuri, Orphee Aux
Enfers, La Perichole, La Grande Duchesse, Barbe Bleue. Stars include
M’lle Tostee, M. Duchesne, M. Decre, M’lle Irma, M.
Aujac.
April 12 through April 17, 1869
RICHINGS ENGLISH OPERA TROUPE – present La Traviata, Crown
Diamonds, Il Trovatore, Bohemian Girl. Cast includes Mrs. C.R. Bernard,
Anna Mischka, S.C. Campbell, W. Castle, Henry C. Peakes, James Peakes,
J.A. Arnold, George Neal, Pierre Bernard, Mrs. E. Seguin, Mrs. Gonzales.
September 11 through September 18, 1869
THE LEFFINGWELL AND HIS GREAT BURLESQUE COMBINATION – appears
for the first time in Washington in The Gushing Glorinda and Romeo
Gaffier Jenkins.
November 1869 [no program file]
UNDER TWO FLAGS – dramatization of the novel by Ouidas. Starring
Rose and Harry Watkins.
December 1869 [no program file]
THE MURDER BY THE ROADSIDE INN – melodrama. Starring Mr. and
Mrs. Claude Hamilton.
December 20, 1869 through January 1, 1870 [xerox only]
ZANFRETTI AND CAROM PANTOMIME TROUPE – appearing in Jack and
the Bean Stalk, New Tricks, New Ballets.
SINBAD
1870
Sole Management: William Spaulding
THE PURITAN'S DAUGHTER
January 3 through January 8, 1870 [xerox only]
MR. AND MRS. W. J. FLORENCE -- appearing in Handy Andy, Mischievous
Annie, Colleen Bawn (Boucicault), The Ticket of Leave Man (Tom Taylor),
Dombey and Son (Dickens), Irish Lion, A Returned Volunteer (W.J.
Florence). President Grant and General Sherman attended the performance
of The Ticket of Leave Man.
January 10 through January 15, 1870 [no program file]
MISS BATEMAN – starring in two plays Leah adapted from the
German play of Daburgh and Mary Warner (a domestic drama). Miss
Bateman, the great tragic actress, is supported by George Jordan.
President Grant and wife, along with Generals Porter and Sherman
attended a performance.
January 17 through January 22, 1870 [xerox only]
W. H. LINGARD AND HIS ENGLISH BURLESQUE COMPANY – appearing
in The Great Men of the Age, Captain of the Watch, and a grand burlesque
of Pluto.
January 24 through January 28, 1870 [no program file]
GRAND ITALIAN OPERA – featuring Madame Carolina Briol and
Signor C. LeFranc.
February 1870 [Rapley file]
HAMLET – Starring E.L. Davenport
A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS
PEARL OF SAVOY – Starring Maggie Mitchell
March 1 (Tuesday) through March 5, 1870 [xerox only]
PAREPA ROSA GRAND ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY – present Bohemian
Girl, The Marriage of Figaro, Martha. Fra Diavolo.
March 7 through March
Spring 1870 [Rapley file]
LADY AUDLEY’S SECRET – Starring Mrs. D.P. Bowers
SOLON SHINGLE – Starring John Owens
RIP VAN WINKLE – Starring Joseph Jefferson
LITTLE DETECTIVE – Starring Mme. Lotta
RED LIGHT – Starring John Brougham
MARY STUART – Starring Mrs. D.P. Bowers
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE – Starring Davenport
FAINT HEART NEVER WON FAIR LADY – Starring Annette Ince and
Frank Mordent
RELIEF OF LUCKNOW – Starring Effie Germon
Fall 1870 [Rapley file]
GERMAN COUSIN – Starring Joe Emmert
HANDY ANDY – Starring Mr. and Mrs. Florence
ACROSS THE CONTINENT – Starring Oliver Dowd Byron
QUEEN ELIZABETH – Starring Miss Lander
UNDER TWO FLAGS – Starring Rose Watkins
CLAUDE MELNOTTE – Starring Charles Fechter and Caroline Leclerque
1871
Manager: J.G. Saville
February 21, 1871 (Tuesday)
GRAND CARNIVAL AND MASQUERADE BALL
April 10 through April 15, 1871 [Rapley file]
RIP VAN WINKLE – Starring Joseph Jefferson
April 17 through April 22, 1871 [Rapley file]
STREETS OF NEW YORK – Starring Frank Mayo
April 24 through April 29, 1871 [Rapley file]
CARNCROSS AND DIXIE MINSTRELS
October 6 & 7, 1871 [no program file]
CHARLES MATHEWS – Starring in A Curious Case (comedy by Charles
Mathews), The Critic (drama by Richard Brinsley Sheridan), Mr. Gatherwool.
October 28 through November 2, 1871 [Rapley file]
ROSEDALE – Starring J.G. Saville
November 1871 [Rapley file]
OLD CURIOSITY SHOP – Starring Kate Putnam
THE RED POCKET BOOK – Starring Joe Proctor, May Saville
November 25 through November 30, 1871 [Rapley file]
DIVORCE – Starring George C. Boniface, Georgia Langley
December 1871 [Rapley file]
CENTRAL PARK – Starring Lester Wallach
AFTER DARK – Featuring a stock company
FEE FI FO FUM – Featuring Professor Davis’ Educated
Dogs
ARRAH NA POGUE – Dion Bocicault and Agnes Robertson
ROSEDALE – Starring Lester Wallach
MARRIED FOR MONEY – Starring Charles Matthews
CHRISTIE JOHNSON – Starring Mrs. Chanfran
SARATOGA – Starring J.C. Saville
1872
January 1
January 22 through January 27, 1872 [no program file]
FRITZ, OUR GERMAN COUSIN – comedy by Charles Gayler. Starring
J.K. Emmet, Dutch comedian.
January 29 through February 3, 1872 [no program file]
MAGGIE MITCHELL – Starring in Lerle, The Pearl of Savoy, Jane
Eyre, Fanchon. Supported by L. R. Shewell.
February 19 through February 24, 1872 [ no program file]
E.A. SOTHERN – Starring in Lord Dundreary (written by Mr.
Southern) and Our American Cousin.
February 26 through March 2, 1872 [no program file]
JOHN E. OWENS – Starring in Everybody’s Friend, Solon
Shingle, Victims, Grimaldi, Happiest Day of My Life, Forty Winks,
Live Indian.
March 4 through March 9, 1872 [no program file]
PAREPA-ROSA ENGLISH OPERA – present Marriage of Figaro, Zampa
or the Marble Bride, Don Giovanni, Fra Diavolo, The Water Carrier.
Company includes Madame Parepa-Rosa, Charles Santley
March 11 through March 16, 1872 [no program file]
DIVORCE – drama by Augustin Daly
March 18 through March 23, 1872 [no program file]
JOHN E. OWENS – return engagement
April 30 through May 5, 1872 [no program file]
AIMEE “the Queen of Opera Bouffe” – Starring in
La Perichole, Les Brigands, La Belle Helene, Le Pont Des Soupirs,
La Grande Duchesse, Barbe Bleue.
May 6 through May 11, 1872 [no program file]
THE BLACK CROOK
1873
January 28, 1873
FIRE! NATIONAL THEATRE FIRE (11 am)
Reopened on December 1, 1873 under the management of W.W. Rapley
(later succeeded by his son, Harry W. Rapley). President Grant attended
the reopening. The management vainly promised that “the devices
for the safety of the audience in any conceivable emergency are
so complete that no accident could happen.”
1874
INGOMAR - Opera - The great Italian actor Tommaso Salvini played
on his first tour of America.
PAREPA-ROSA ENGLISH OPERA – present The Marriage of Figaro,
Martha, Faust, Puritan’s Daughter and Fra Diavolo. Starring
Madame Parepa-Rosa, with conductor Carl Rosa.
MARY STUART - probably by Schiller, starring Polish actress Mme.
Janauschek and then British actress Adelaide Neilson.
TEMPTATION
DEBORAH
The highlight of the season was the appearance of Frank Mayo in
Frank Murdoch's DAVY CROCKETT SN, p. 56.
1875
September 1, 1875
John T. Ford took "supreme control" of the National.
SURF
September 1, 1875
HAMLET - by William Shakespeare. Starring John McCullough.
In the summer John McCullough had limited success in the title role
in Shakespeare's HAMLET. It is the basis for the apochryphal story
that McCullough died at the National while performing. The myth
is that McCullough was murdered backstage and that fellow actors
buried him in the dirt rather than let his body be consigned to
a pauper's grave. Even though his death from paresis was documented,
he was said to haunt the theatre thereafter as the National Theatre
Ghost. SN, p. 58-59.
1876
AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS - by Jules Verne and Adolph d’Ennery.
Starring G. Metkiff, W. H. Lytell, Dora Golthwaite, Blanche Mortimer,
Hattie Burnham. Presented by the Kiralfy Brothers.
THE TWO ORPHANS - Panic was narrowly avoided as Kate Claxton performed,
and a prankster shouted “Fire!” in the crowded theatre.
“Panic was averted by the coolness of the ushers and a jovial
air played by the orchestra” – Newspaper account.”
September 4 through September 9, 1876
HAVERLY’S MINSTRELS - including the Haverly Minstrels, Primrose
and West, Edwin French, Milton G. Barlow.
September 11 through September 16, 1876 (no program file)
HUMPTY DUMPTY
September 18 through September 22, 1876
RICHELIEU - by Bulwar. Starring Charles Pope, supported by the New
Orleans Varieties Theatre Company.
September 23, 1876 (no program file)
RICHARD III - by William Shakespeare. Starring Charles Pope, supported
by the New Orleans Varieties Theatre Company.
September 25 through September 30, 1876 (no program file)
THE NAIAD QUEEN - presented by the Stock Company of the Ford’s
National Theatre.
October 2 through October 7, 1876
TWO MEN OF SANDY BAR - comedy drama by Bret Harte. Starring Stuart
Robson.
October 9 through October 14, 1876 (no program file)
EVANGELINE - comic opera by Rice and Goodman. Starring Miss Annis
Montague.
October 20, 1876
BECKY MIX - comedy written for Maggie Mitchell by Clifton W. Tayleur.
Starring Maggie Mitchell in a Benefit performance.
October 23 through October 28, 1876 (no program file)
WANTED A DIVORCE - comedy. Starring Louis L. James.
October 30 through November 4, 1876
MAUD MULLER - by Philip Stoner, based on the poem by John G. Whittier.
Starring Miss Genevieve Rogers.
November 6 through November 10, 1876 (no program file)
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR - by William Shakespeare. Starring Ben
de Bar.
November 20 through November 25, 1876
MARRIED IN HASTE - comedy. Starring Louis James, Walter Treville,
G.W. Denham.
November 27 through December 2, 1876 (no program file)
MRS. OATES’ COMIC OPERA COMPANY - performing Madame Angot’s
Child, Princess of Trebizonde, and Girofle-Girofla.
December 25 through December 30, 1876
THE TWO ORPHANS - Starring Kate Claxton, with Ellen Cummies.
LOUISE
DON GIOVANNI - Opera
IL TROVATORE - Opera
LA TRAVIATA - Opera
1877
KING LEAR by William Shakespeare
HAMLET by William Shakespeare
THE GLADIATOR
BABY
BELLE LAMAR - drama
OUR BACHELORS - comedy
AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare
MISS MULTON
THE DANICHEFFS
LES CENT VIRGES - Opera
FORBIDDEN FRUIT - comedy
OTHELLO by William Shakespeare
RICHELIEU
VIRGINIUS
January 1 through January 6, 1877 (no program file)
ROMEO AND JULIET - by William Shakespeare. Starring Mary Anderson.
January 8 through January 13, 1877
BERTHE, THE DAUGHTER OF ROLAND - adapted by Miss Annie Ford from
the French of Henri Bornier. Starring Miss Mary Anderson.
January 15 through January 20, 1877 (no program file)
CHESNEY WOLD - from Charles Dickens’ Bleak House. Starring
Mme. Janauschek.
February 4 through February 10, 1877
THE SHAUGHRAUN - comedy by Dion Boucicault and starring Mr. Boucicault.
February 11 through February 17, 1877 (no program file)
THERE’S MILLIONS IN IT - comedy starring John T. Raymond.
February 18 through February 25, 1877
ALICE OATES AND HER NEW ENGLISH COMIC OPERA COMPANY – performing
La Perichole and The Grand Duchess.
February 26 through March 3, 1877
HOOLEY’S MINSTRELS
March 5 though March 10, 1877 (no program file)
LEMONS - by Daly’s Fifth Avenue Company.
March 26 through March 31, 1877
HENRY J. MONTAGUE – Starring in Our Idol (comedy by Mrs. Harry
Beckett), False Shame (comedy).
April 2 through April 7, 1877 [no program file]
ALICE OATES AND HER COMIC OPERA COMPANY – performing light
English opera. Starring Alice Oates, M’lle Eme Roseau, Mrs.
Julia Chapman, Miss Venie Clancy, Miss Susie Winner, Miss Bessie
Temple, Miss Aimee Winner, Miss Maud Bowman, C.H. Drew, John Howson,
Henri Laurent, J.H. Jones, A. W. Maflin, H. Amberg, L. De Smith.
April 30 through May 5, 1877
LYDIA THOMPSON AND HER OWN GRAND BURLESQUE COMPANY – presenting
Penelope, Columbus, and Robinson Crusoe.
October 27 (Saturday) 1877
CASTE (musical comedy by T.W. Robertson) and JENNY LIND (musical
farce). Starring Harry Taylor, W. H. Burton, Charles Waverly, Harry
Rainforth, T.F. Meagher, Lizzie Mahon, Laura Joyce, Lizzie Herbert.
October 29 through November 3, 1877[no program file]
ROBINSON CRUSOE – presented by Lydia Thompson and Company
November 22 through November 27, 1877 [xerox only]
ALICE OATES AND HER COMIC OPERA COMPANY present La Jolie Parfumeuse,
The Princess of Trebizonde, Madame Angot’s Child, Girofle-Girofla;
Trial by Jury and Les Bavards.
November 29 through December 4, 1877 [no program file]
OTHELLO – by William Shakespeare. Starring John McCullough.
December 10 through December 15, 1877
MISS LOUISE POMEROY – starring in Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth
Night, Cymbeline, Lady Macbeth. Cast includes Charles Waverly, R.L.
Downing, M. Lanagam, Harry Taylor, George Denham, W.H. Burton, Octavia
Allen, Lizzie Herbert.
December 17 through December 22, 1877
RIP VAN WINKLE – Starring Joseph Jefferson. Cast includes
M. Lanagan, Julian Mitchell, James Galloway, Walter L. Dennis, Miss
Octavia Allen, Miss Eleanor Carey, Miss Virginia Thorne. On Friday
night of the run, Mr. Jefferson appeared in a performance of THE
RIVALS.
December 24 through December 29, 1877
SEA OF ICE – drama starring Louise Pomeroy. Cast includes
Charles Waverly, Theo Hamilton, George Denham, R.L. Downing, W.H.
Burton.
December 31, 1877 through January 5, 1878 [no program file]
MIGHTY DOLLAR – starring the Florences.
1878
John T. Ford, Lessee; H. Clay Ford, Manager; B. A. Baker, Stage
Manager.
RICHELIEU
LA CIGALE
SWEETHEARTS
TOM COBB, or FORTUNE'S TOY
VIRGINIUS
January 21 through January 26, 1878
STRUCK OIL - drama by Maggie Moore and J.C. Williamson. Starring
Miss Moore and Mr. Williamson.
January 28 through February 2, 1878
THE CRUSHED TRAGEDIAN - Starring Mr. Sothern and his Comedy Company.
February 4 through February 9, 1878
CAMILLE - a new English version of the Dumas play. Starring Madame
Helena Modjeska.
February 11 through February 16, 1878
ALICE OATES AND THE NEW ENGLISH COMIC OPERA COMPANY - presenting
a different performance each evening, including La Fille de Madame
Angot; Barbe Bleue; The Princess of Trebizonde; La Perichole and
the Grand Duchess.
March 24 through March 29, 1878
CARNCROSS & DIXEY’S MINSTRELS
March 31 through April 6, 1878
A CELEBRATED CASE - Starring Miss Minnette Thompson, Laura Joyce,
Octavia Allen, Virginia Bray, Mrs. Germon, Louis James, Theo. Hamilton,
George W. Denham, M. Lanagan.
May 27 through June 1, 1878
THE SOLDIER’S TRUST - by D’Ennery. Starring George C.
Boniface.
September 9 through September 14, 1878
THE ICE WITCH - Featuring T. W. Keene, George Denham, Charles Abrendt,
Miss Henrietta Vaders, Miss Annie Wakeman, Miss Virginia Clary,
The Minzelli Sisters, The Ravel-Martinetti Family, Little Rosebud
and many others.
September 16 through September 21, 1878
BUFFALO BILL, WILLIAM F. CODY - presents border drama Lost and Won,
depicting scenes and incidents of the great scout’s eventful
and extraordinary life.
September 23 through September 28, 1878
F.C. BANGS starring in evenings of Shakespeare, including Hamlet,
King John and Julius Caesar. Cast also includes T. W. Keene and
Carl Ahrendt.
September 30 through October 5, 1878
JOHN E. OWENS - a week with the world famous comedian. Performing
various comedies including Dot or the Cricket on the Hearth, Our
Boys, Uncle Solon, Toodles, and Victims and Serious Family.
October 7 through October 12, 1878
UNCLE TOM’S CABIN - a revised edition of the Harriet Beecher
Stowe novel.
October 14 through October 19, 1878
HIDDEN HAND - a play representing life in the South in the 1850s
by Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth. Featuring Blanche Ford, Adelaide Detchon,
George W. Denham, Frank Donnelly, W.L. Dennis.
October 21 through November 2, 1878
EMMA ABBOTT AND THE HESS GRAND ENGLISH OPERA presenting Mignon,
Bohemian Girl, The Chimes of Normandy, Martha, Fra Diavolo, Faust.
Directed by C. D. Hess.
November 11 through November 16, 1878
ROBERT HELLER, MAGICIAN, MUSICIAN AND WIT
December 2 through December 7, 1878
JOHN MC CULLOUGH – appearing in repertory in Virginius, Othello,
King Lear, Macbeth, Hamlet, Richard III.
December 16 through December 21, 1878
JANE SHORE - historical domestic play by W. G. Will. Starring Miss
Genevieve Ward.
December 23 through December 28, 1878
MLISS, THE MOUNTAIN WAIF - drama founded upon Bret Hart’s
idyll. Starring Miss Katy Mayhew, Mr. C. J. Edmunds and a superb
dramatic company.
December 30, 1878 through January 4, 1879
STRAKOSCH OPERA COMPANY presenting a season of grand Italian opera
including Il Trovatore, Mignon, Lucia di Lammermoor, Huguenots,
La Favorita.
1879
January 6 through January 11, 1879
HAVERLY’S UNITED MASTODON MINSTRELS
January 13 through January 18, 1879
MME. HELINA MODJESKA - starring in Frou Frou, East Lynne, Adrienne,
Romeo and Juliet, Camille.
January 20 through January 25, 1879
DIPLOMACY - comedy by Victorien Sardou. Starring Frederick Warde
and Maurice Barrymore, with John Drew, H. Reed Davis, and Albert
Murdoch.
January 27 through February 1, 1879
F.S. CHANFRAU - a comedian and impersonator presents Kit, and The
Octoroon.
February 3 through February 8, 1879
THE COLEVILLE OPERA BURLESQUE COMPANY performing Our Cinderella,
Babes in the Wood. Starring Mlle. Emme Roseau and 50 artists.
February 10 through February 15, 1879
LAWRENCE BARRETT - interpretations of Shakespeare, Lytton Bulwer
and Robertson.
February 17 through February 22, 1879
THE DANITES - American drama. Starring McKee Rankin and Kitty Blanchard.
February 24 through March 1, 1879
A MESSENGER FROM JARVIS’ SECTION - comedy by E.A. Locke. Starring
Mr. B. Macauley.
March 2, 1879
LECTURE BY ROBERT B. INGERSOLL entitled The Liberty of Man, Woman
and Child.
March 3 through March 8, 1879
JOSHUA WHITCOMB -comedy by Denman Thompson. Starring Mr. Thompson.
March 10 through March 15, 1879
THE SHAUGHRAUN - dramatic creation of Dion Boucicuault. Starring
Mr. Boucicault.
March 17 through March 22, 1879
STUART ROBSON AND WILLIAM H. CRANE starring in A Cup of Tea, A Comedy
of Errors, and Our Bachelors.
March 24 through March 29, 1879
JOSEPH JEFFERSON starring in The Rivals (comedy by W.B. Sheridan)
and Regular (farce by Morton) and Rip Van Winkle (by Washington
Irving). Supporting cast includes M. Lanagan, T.W. Keene, George
Hoey, Walter L. Dennis, C. Waverly, J. Galloway, Miss. H. Vaders,
Mrs. Germon, Miss E. Vaders.
March 31 through April 5, 1879
THE CARNCROSS MINSTRELS presenting Oratory, Persuasion, and Henry
Moses Shadboat Pinafore (a new and original burlesque by E.M. Slocum).
April 7 through April 12, 1879
A CELEBRATED CASE - an emotional play. Presented by The Union Square
(NY) Theatre Company.
April 14 through April 19, 1879
H.M.S. PINAFORE - by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. [Program
lists cast, but not the name of the company.]
April 21 through April 26, 1879
HESS ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY presenting Paul and Virginia and The
Chimes of Normandy. Starring Emma Abbott.
April 28 through May 3, 1879
FREAKS - comedy adapted from the German by F.F. Mackay. Starring
the New York Criterion Comedy Company.
May 5 through May 10, 1879
H.M.S. PINAFORE - Comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Presented by the Colored Opera Company.
May 12 through May 17, 1879
H.M.S. PINAFORE - Comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Presented by the Standard Opera Company.
May 23, 1879
H.M.S. PINAFORE - Comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Presented by the English Opera Company.
June 11, 1879
INGOMAR - Starring John McCullough and Mary Anderson.
June 30, July 1 and 2, 1879
H.M.S. PINAFORE - Comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Presented by Ford’s Minature Pinafore Company.
July 16, 1879
H.M.S. PINAFORE - Comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Presented by the Potomac Boat Club.
September 16, 1879
QUEEN’S EVIDENCE - Managed by C.L. Graves, starring George
C. Boniface.
October 9, 10 and 11 (matinee), 1879
RICE’S SURPRISE PARTY and REVELS - comic extravaganza by John
J. McNally and Dexter Smith.
October 13, 1879
FAUST - grand opera. Cast includes Mlle. Blanche, Miss Lancaster,
Miss Ascone, Signore Lazarini, Mr. L. G. Gottschalk, Monsieur Castelmary,
Signor LaFontaine. Max Strakosch, director.
October 14, 1879
AIDA - grand opera. Cast includes Mlle. Blanche, Miss Lancaster,
Miss Ascone, Signore Lazarini, Mr. L. G. Gottschalk, Monsieur Castelmary,
Signor LaFontaine. Max Strakosch, director.
November 25 through November 30, 1879
VIRGINIUS – tragedy by James Sheridan Knowles. Starring John
McCullough, with F. B. Warde.
December 29, 1879 through January 3, 1880
KATE CLAXTON -- appearing in Double Marriage and The Two Orphans!
Supported by her own company. With Chas. A. Stevenson.
1880
EAST LYNN - melodrama
February 11 through February 14, 1880
FUN ON THE BRISTOL - dramatic and musical play by Henry C. Jarrett.
February 15 through February 21, 1880
ADA CAVENDISH
April 6 through April 10, 1880
RICHELIEU! - by Bulwar. Starring Lawrence Barrett and his company.
April 12 through April 17, 1880
CARNCROSS’ MINSTRELS -- John W. Albaugh, Manager.
May 6 though May 8, 1880
HORRORS! – Starring Willie Edouin.
May 10 through May 15, 1880 [no program file]
THE UPPER CRUST – Starring Annie Graham
November 8 through November 15, 1880
THE SPECTRE KNIGHT - Opera di camera; presented by Rice’s
Bijou Comic Opera Company.
December 13 through December 19, 1880
KIT, THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER - comic drama, starring Mr. F.S. Chanfrau
December 20 through December 26, 1880
AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS
1881
January 13 through January 18, 1881
RICHELIEU! - tragedy by Bulwar. Starring John McCullough, with Fred
B. Warde. Managed by William M. Conner.
January 20 through January 25, 1881 (dates uncertain) [no program
file]
VIRGINIUS - tragedy by Sheridan Knowles. Starring John McCullough,
with Fred B. Warde, Edmund Collier, John A. Lane, H. C. Barton,
Edward Dee, Katge Forsyth, Augusta Foster. Under the management
of William M. Conner.
February 10 through February 13, 1881 [no program file]
THE RIVALS - comedy by Sheridan. Starring Joseph Jefferson, with
Mrs. John Drew, Frederick Robinson, Maurice Barrymore, Charles Waverly,
and Rosa Rand.
February 14 through February 15, 1881 [no program file]
RIP VAN WINKLE – Starring Joseph Jefferson, with Charles Waverly,
J. Galloway, W. Burton, G. Lynch, Rosa Rand, Maggie Gonzalles, Jaculine
Benn.
February 24 through February 28, 1881 [no program file]
RICHARD III - by William Shakespeare. Starring T.W. Keene, with
George Learock, W. Lloyd, H.B. Phillips, Hunter Smith, James Tighe,
J.B. Everham, F.D. Montague, H. Mason, Georgia Tyler, Octavia Allen,
Gertrude Johnston,
March 1 through March 4, 1881(no program file) [Year uncertain]
SARAH BERNHARDT in her Washington debut, performs Camille, Fedora,
Frou-Frou, and Maitre de Forges. She received rave reviews.
October 24 through October 29, 1881
RICHARD III – by William Shakespeare
October 31 through November 5, 1881
EMMA ABBOTT GRAND ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY presents Il Trovatore, Lucia
di Lammermoor, The Two Cavaliers.
November 7 through November 10, 1881
HERRMANN THE MAGICIAN
1882
June 13, 1882 - COLUMBIAN UNIVERSITY LAW DEPARTMENT COMMENCEMENT
(Columbian University subsequently became George Washington University)
Exact dates unknown:
FRITZ IN IRELAND – Starring Joseph K. Emmet who composed many
of the songs he performed. Cast inclues De Los King, Walter Standish,
Harry C. Albaugh, W. Christie Miller, W.J. Donnelly, Little Annie
Smith, Katie Blancke, Jeannie Harold, Pollie Poland.
EAST LYNNE – Starring Ada Gray, supported by Charles A Watkins’
Fifth Avenue Combination.
INGOMAR THE BARBARIAN – adapted by Maria Lovell. Starring
John McCullough and his company. Under the management of William
M. Conner.
EQUINE PARADOX – Starring George Bartholomew.
January 16 through January 21, 1882
RICHELIEU – tragedy by Bulwar. Starring Lawrence Barrett.
Cast includes Otis Skinner, F.C. Mosley, Frederick Bock, Louis James,
Charles Rolfe, B.G. Rogers, Chas. Plunkett.
April 3 through April 8, 1882
MADAME MODJESKA – Starring in Camille, As You Like It, Frou-Frou,
and Twelfth Night. Cast includes Maurice Barrymore, G.H. Griffith,
Frank Clements Norman Forbes, Mason Mitchell, Clara Fisher Maeder,
Maud Milton, Helen Leigh, Clara Ellison, Frances Clarmont. Under
the management of John Stetson.
April 10 through April 15, 1882
JOSEPH JEFFERSON -- Starring in Rip Van Winkle and The Rivals (Sheridan).
Starring Joseph Jefferson. Cast includes Charles Waverly, H.F. Taylor,
James T. Galloway, Frank Sherley, Mrs. Charles Walcot, Jacquiline
Benn, Fanny Gonzalles, Mrs. Balloway, Lillian Lee
1883
FRANCESCA DA RIMINI
THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISCO starring James O’'Neill
Exact Dates Unknown:
HER MAJESTY’S OPERA COMPANY – presents Faust, Semiramide,
William Tell, Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, La Traviata. Performers include
Madame Scalchi, M. Durat, Signor Clodio, Signor Monti, Signor Costa,
Adelina Patti, Signor Ravelli, Signor Galassi, Mlle. Valerga, Madame
Albani. Music conducted by Signor Arditi.
ZILLAH – Starring Mme. Janauschek. Cast includes G.D. Chaplin,
Ogden Stevens, Ferdinand Hight, Doro Connor, Henrietta Irving, Anna
Locke, A.H. Stuart, Giles Shine, Harry Hawk, Louis Bresdan, W.H.
Barry, Emmie Wilmot, Virginia Brooks.
JOSEPH JEFFERSON – Starring in the Poor Gentleman (comedy
by Coleman), The Rivals (comedy by Sheridan). Company includes Mrs.
John Drew, Frederic Robinson, Rose Wood, B.T.Ringgold, Charles Waverly,
Harry Taylor, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hemple, Lillian Lee.
THOMAS W. KEENE – Starring in Richard III, Merchant of Venice,
Hamlet, Macbeth (Shakespeare), Richelieu (Bulwar), Fool’s
Revenge
October 1883
TWO ORPHANS – a drama. Starring Kate Claxton and Charles A.
Stevenson.
SIBERIA – drama by Bartley Campbell. Cast includes Atkins
Lawrence, Hardie Vernon, Lawrence Eddinger, Charles Abbotr, C.B.
Waite, Vining Wood, M.C. Daly, Arthur Gardner, Paul Browne, Clarence
Montaine, George F. Devere Jr., John Parry, Mark Arnold, Charles
Warner, Harry Eustace, C.B. Hawkins, Adele Belgarde, Emma Vaders,
Frankie McClellan, Sara Lasselles, Rebecca Alexander, Fanny Lloyd
Annie Evans, Charles Petit, Alice Coleman.
THE ROMANY RYE – romantic drama by George R. Sims. Cast
includes James M. Hardie, P.A. Anderson, Charles W. Butler, H.B.
Bradley, L.F. Howard, J. Winston Murray, Neil Gray, William Leyden,
George L. Davis, lewis Mitchell, C. Williams, James R. Price, Henry
Bishop, Walker Merrill, Frank Dean, Carrie Dean, Sarah Von Leer,
Marion P. Clifton, Zmay Bardell, Annie Gorman, Angie Griffiths,
Minnie Reed. Under the management of Brooks and Dickson.
November 1883
BLACK CROOK – Cast includes J. Fleming Peters, Robert B. Bouchier,
H.W. Mitchell, George R. Edeson, Joseph L. Mason L. Ruble, Thomas
Star, D. Albert, Lotta Belton, Annie W. Tiffany, Anna Guenther,
Mlle. Leontine, Rose Wilson. Production also includes three ballets
and several special star acts. Produced under the personal supervision
of Imre and Bolossy Kiralfy.
A BUNCH OF KEYS! – musical comedy by Charles Hoyt and Willie
Edouin. Cast includes Alice Atherton, Anna Gunther, Anna Brevoor,
Marietta Nash, Genie Holtzmeyer, Julian Mitchell, James T. Powers,
C.B. Stevens, W. Smith, Willie Edouin, Tom Harding, Gilly Spooner,
Rose Keys, Mary Keys, Teddy Keys, Sam Foss.
DREAMS – musical comedy originally titled Conceit. Starring
Willie Edouin, Julian Mitchell, C.B. Stevens, W. Smith, James T.
Powers, Alice Atherton, Genie Holtzmeyer, Anna Gunther, Marietta
Nash.
December 1883 [xerox only]
VOKES FAMILY – present Cousin Joe, Belles of the Kitchen,
Fun in a Fog.
1884
Lessee: W.W. Rapley; Manager: Samuel G. Kinsley
PAUL AND VIRGINIA - opera
CHIMES OF NORMANDY
ROMEO AND JULIET - opera
CARMEN - opera
January 4 through January 9, 1884
BOSTON IDEAL OPERA COMPANY presents Giralda, The Three Musketeers,
Bohemian Girl, Fra Diavolo, and Victor, the Bluestocking
January 10, 1884
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA presents a concert of vocal and instrumental music.
January 11 through January 16, 1884
FANNY DAVENPORT
February 2, 1884 [HNNT]
RICHARD III – by William Shakespeare. Starring John McCullough
in his last performance in Washington.
March 7 through 14, 1884
HENRY IRVING AND ELLEN TERRY -- Starring in Hamlet, The Merchant
of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Louis XI (by Casmir Delavigne),
The Belle’s Stratagem! (comedy by Mrs. Cowley). Directed by
Henry E. Abbey.
March 8, 1884
CLAIRE AND THE FORGE MASTER – drama by Ettie Henderson. Starring
Maude Grander, with May Brookyn, Lizzie McCall, Lizzie DuRoy, Retta
Henson, George Learock, Charles Chappelle, John Jack, J.W. Summers,
E.H. Stephens, J.W. Arches, E. Hughes, Daniel Wolf.
March 14, 1884
FRITZ IN IRELAND – dram by William Carlton. Starring J.K.
Emmett, with George R. Sprague, Maurice Pike, Kate French, Martin
J. Cody, Edward Rue, H.A. Morey, C.W. Swain, William Schroeder,
Clara Baker, Kate Blancke, Lizzie Scanlon.
April 1884
LIGHTS O’ LONDON – drama by George R. Sims. Cast includes
J. L. Burleigh, George Mordaunt, Horace Vinton, Florence Thropp,
Thomas J. McBride, Edward Frances, Charles Burns, Walter MacNichol,
W. Richardson, Charles Mitchell, Fred W. Gretton, Louis Barrett,
John Pringle, Harry Prior, Walter Frank, Genevieve Stebbins, May
Wilkes, Marion Mardaunt, May Richards, Louisa Thropp. Presented
by Shook and Collier.
May 5 through May 10, 1884
DEWDROP – romantic comedy by Con.T. Murphy and C.E. Callahan.
Starring Miss Lizzie Evans. Cast includes Al Phillips, George W.
Deyo, Harry Scharf, C.R. Burrows, E.D. Tannehill, Ed Clifford, W.T.
Sheehan, Ida Burrows, Marie LeGros, Selina Anderson, Charline Weidman.
May 12 through May 15, 1884 [no program file]
PECK’S BAD BOY
September 8 through September 13, 1884
THATCHER, PRIMROSE AND WEST’S MINSTRELS
September 15 through September 20, 1884
DAD’S GIRL - comedy/drama by E.J. Swatrz. Starring Lizzie
May Ulmer.
September 22 through September 27, 1884
ATKINSON’S COMEDY COMPANY performing scenes from The Grocery
Man, Peck’s Bad Boy, Peck’s Bad Boy and His Pa.
September 29 through October 4, 1884
NORDECK - a romantic comedy by Frank Mayo and John G. Wilson. Starring
Frank Mayo, with Rachel McAuley.
October 4, 1884 (evening)
DAVY CROCKETT! - Starring Frank Mayo.
October 6 through October 11, 1884
SIBERIA! - by Bartley Campbell. Starring Atkins Lawrence, Frank
Norcross, and Mr. L. Eddinger, Hardie Vernon, C.B. Waite, Vining
Wood, M.C. Daly, Arthur Gardner, Paul Browne, Clarence Montaine,
George F. Devere Jr., John Parry, Mark Arnold, Charles Warner, Harry
Eustace, C.B. Hawkins, Adele Belgarde, Emma Vaders, Frankie McClellan,
Helen Windsor, Jennie Karsner, Fanny Lloyd, Charles Petit, Alice
Coleman.
October 13 through October 18, 1884
HEARTS OF OAK! - drama by James A. Herne. Starring James A. Herne,
Charles H. Clark, and F. Chippendale.
October 20 through October 25, 1884
MY LIFE! - original drama by Harry Meredith. Starring Mme. Janauschek.
October 27 through November 1, 1884
MLLE. MARIE AIMEE starring in two productions: Divorcons (a satire
on the divorce question by Victorian Sardou) and Mam’zelle
(English comedy by Jessop and Gill). With Thomas Burns, Lester Victor
and A. del Campo. Divorcons directed by Simmonds and Brown; Mam’zelle
directed by Maurice Grau.
November 3 through November 8, 1884
STORM BEATEN! - drama by Robert Buchanan. Starring Joseph Winters,
Isabella Preston, John Burke and Edmond Collier.
November 10 through November 15, 1884
THE MILAN GRAND OPERA COMPANY performing Aida, Rigoletto, Norma,
It Trovatore, and the Barber of Seville.
November 17 through November 22, 1884
CALLED BACK - by Hugh Conway and Comyns Carr. Presented by the Madison
Square Theatre Company.
November 24 through November 29, 1884
WAGES OF SIN! - drama by Frank Harvey. Starring Agnes Booth, with
Charles C. Maubury and Charles Overton.
December 1 through December 6, 1884
SHADOWS OF A GREAT CITY - domestic comedy/drama by L. R. Shewell.
Starring B. R. Graham, O.H. Barr, George R. Edeson, Julia Stuart,
Annie Ward Tiffany, Clementine, Vaughn .
December 8 through December 13, 1884
JOSEPH JEFFERSON! performing Cricket on the Hearth, Lend Me Five
Shillings!, and Rip Van Winkle.
December 15 through December 20, 1884
THE PAVEMENTS OF PARIS - a dramatic spectacle by adapted from the
French by Felix Morris. Starring Felix Morris.
December 22 through December 27, 1884
PRIVATE SECRETARY - comedy. Presented by the Madison Square Theater
Company. Starring Al Lipman, M.A. Kennedy, and C. W. Stokes.
December 29, 1884 through January 3, 1885
YOUNG MRS. WINTHROP! - by Bronson Howard. Presented by the Madison
Square Theater Company. Starring George Clarke, Thomas Whiffen,
and C. E. Lothian.
1885
Manager: W.H. Rapley (son of W.W.)
January 5 through January 10, 1885
MR. & MRS. W. J. FLORENCE - performing The Mighty Dollar, Our
Governor, The Ticket-of- Leave Man.
January 12 through January 17, 1885
RHEA performing The American Countess (by Howard Carroll), Arcadia
(by Victorien Sardou), Camille (by Alexandre Dumas), Lady Ashley
(by Barron Bates), Frou Frou, The Power of Love (by Victorien Sardou),
A Dangerous Game.
January 19 through January 24, 1885
MAY BLOSSOM - by David Belasco. Starring Georgia Cayven and Joseph
Wheelock and the Madison Square Theater Company.
January 26 through January 31, 1885
WE, US AND CO. - comedy by W. A. Mestayer and C. Barnard. Starring
W. A. Mestayer and Theresa Vaughn.
February 2 through February 7, 1885
FEDORA - by Victorien Sardou. Starring Fanny Davenport.
February 9 through February 14, 1885
MY PARTNER - by Bartley Campbell. Starring Louis Aldrich.
February 16 through February 20, 1885
SKIPPED BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON - by and starring Louis Harrison
and John Gourlay.
February 23 through February 27, 1885
VICTOR DURAND - drama by Henry Guy Carleton. Starring Lester Wallack
and Company. During the run (February 26), the Theatre was CLOSED
BY FIRE. The sets burned in the fire.
October, 1885
THEATRE REOPENS
Julia Wheeler read an “almost interminable” poem written
for the occasion by Edwin Crapsey. Included was the sentiment:
“Behold a phoenix from the ashes came
Behold the drama’s new and splendid home!”
October 5 through October 10, 1885 [HNNT]
LADY ASHLEY – romantic comedy by Barron and Bates. Starring
Rhea and her acting company.
October 12 through October 17, 1885
HUMBUG - farce by Fred Marsden. Starring Roland Reed, with Augustus
Cook, H. Rees Davies, William C. Andrews, Oliver L. Jenkins, Joseph
Gobay, Oliver L. Jenkins, Charles Patterson, Madge Carr, Bertie
Damon, Annie Mortimer.
October 19 through October 24, 1885
MONTE CRISTO - adapted by Charles Fechter. Starring James O’Neill.
Cast includes J.W. Shannon, W.H. Wallis, H.B.Bradley, John V. Melton,
Howard Gould, S.Miller Kent, J.H. Shewell, Marry McClusky, Katie
Stokes, Annie Boudinot, Fannie Henry, Marie Floyd.
October 26 through October 31, 1885
November 2 through November 7, 1885
MR. AND MRS. W. J. FLORENCE starring in Mighty Dollar, Dombey and
Son (adapted from Dickens by John Brougham), Our Governor (comedy
by George H. Jessop and William Gill).
November 9 through November 16, 1885
A RAG BABY - comedy by Charles Hoyt. Starring John T. Craven, Albert
Riddle and Tony Williams. Under the management of Eugene Tompkins.
November 16 through November 21, 1885
SHADOWS OF A GREAT CITY - drama by L.R. Shewell. Starring Nelson
Wheatcroft, H.W. Herman, and George R. Edeson.
November 23 through November 28, 1885
THE WAGES OF SIN - drama by Frank Harvey. Starring Charles C. Maubury
and Charles Overton.
November 30 through December 5, 1885
IN SPITE OF IT ALL - by Victorien Sardou. Starring Minnie Maddern.
December 6, 1885
JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA - 1st Sunday concert. Soloists include Kate deJonge,
Walter Smith and Ernest Lent.
December 7 through December 11, 1885
JOSEPH JEFFERSON AND HIS COMEDY COMPANY presenting Rip Van Winkle
(Washington Irving), Cricket on the Hearth (by Charles Dickens)
and Lend Me Five Shillings. Under the management of Mr. C.B. Jefferson.
December 14 through December 20, 1885
THE NEW YORK THALIA OPERA COMPANY presenting The Beggar Student,
Baccaccio, The Black Hussar, Die Fledermaus, Nanon, The Postillion
of Longemau. [Note: the Opera Company had changed its name to the
Amberg New York Thalia Opera Company by 1886.]
December 20, 1885
JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA - 2nd Sunday concert. Presenting a grand vocal
and instrumental concert.
December 21 through December 26, 1885
LOTTA starring in M’lle, Nitouche (by H.Meilhac and A. Milaud),
Musette (by Fred Marsden).
December 27, 1885
JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA - 3rd Sunday Concert. Featuring Frank Pearson,
Juliette Corden, Mamie Morrice, Walter Smith and the Full Marine
Band.
December 28, 1885 through January 2, 1886
ANNIE PIXLEY starring in M’Liss and Zara (comedy by Marsden).
1886
A RUSSIAN HONEYMOON
CAMILLE with Sarah Bernhardt
January 3, 1886
JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA AND THE FULL MARINE BAND - 4th Sunday concert.
With Miss Louise Pyk, soprano, The Arion Quartette, and Messrs.
Smith and Petrola, Cornet soloists.
January 4 through January 9, 1886
BOSTON IDEAL OPERA COMPANY present Giralda; Bohemian Girl; Victor,
the Bluestocking; Musketeers; and Fra Diavolo. Cast includes W.H.
MacDonald, Tom Karl, J.A. Montgomery, W.H. Clark, Zelie de Lussan,
Florence Reed and Lizzie Burton.
January 10, 1886
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AND THE FULL MARINE BAND - 5th Sunday concert.
January 11 through January 16, 1886
FEDORA! - by Victorien Sardou. Starring Fanny Davenport. Cast includes
R.B. Mantel, Eugene O. Jepson, Melbourne McDowell, Sheldon Kinnecom,
W.J. Hurley, F. Williard, Edgar L. Davenport.
January 17, 1886
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AND THE FULL MARINE BAND - 6th Sunday concert.
Featuring Dora Wiley, soprano; H.A. Foresman, Baritone, Signor Giuseppi
San Gioga, Clarionettist; Wlater F. Smith, Cornettist.
January 18 through January 23, 1886
CLARA MORRIS starring in Miss Multon, L’Article 47; New Magdalen,
Alixe, Camille, The Mountebank. Supported by Eben Plympton, James
L. Arhart, Carl Ahrendt, Clara Ogden, L. W. Browning, Bijou Heron,
Mrs. Farren, Vivia Ogden, Ada Crisp and Marian Lester.
January 23, 1886
THE MOUNTEBANK - dramatic play. Starring Eben Plympton. Cast includes
James L. Carhart,
Ogden Stevens, and Marcus Moriarty.
January 24, 1886
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AND THE FULL MARINE BAND - 7th Sunday concert.
Featuring Maggie Mitchell, soprano; Mrs. H.H. Mills, contralto;
Louis Tilleux, French horn.
January 25 through January 30, 1886
RHEA AND HER COMEDY COMPANY present A Dangerous Game (Sardou), Tragedy
and Comedy, Pygmalion and Galatea (W.S. Gilbert), Frou-Frou, The
Power of Love (Sardou), and An Unequal Match (Tom Taylor)
February 1 through February 6, 1886
THE MIKADO - libretto by W.S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan.
Presented by the J.C. Duff Comic Opera Company. Starring Charles
W. Dungan, Harry MacDonough, Digby Bell, Charles Plunkett, Hamilton
Adams, Laura Joyce Bell.
February 7, 1886
LECTURE BY HARRY W. FRENCH on “Paris, Past and Present”
February 8 through February 13, 1886
A PRISONER FOR LIFE - drama by Anicet Bourgois. Starring J.B. Studley.
February 14, 1886
LECTURE BY HARRY W. FRENCH on “Paris, Past and Present”
(by special request)
February 15 through February 20, 1886
OUR JOAN - domestic drama by Herman Merivale. Starring Rose Coghlan.
Management by Clinton J. Edgerly.
February 21, 1886
WILLIAM S. ROBERTS AND VIRGINIA ROBERTS present an evening of Mind
Reading and Cabinet Manifestations.
February 22 through February 27, 1886
THE PRIVATE SECRETARY - comedy combining the work of Mr. Hawtry
and many origianl scenes and situations by Mr. Gillette. Starring
William Gillette.
February 28, 1886
LECTURE BY HARRY FRENCH on Italy and the Alps.
March 1 through March 6, 1886
HELD BY THE ENEMY - first production in Washington of the American
Drama by William Gillette. Starring Henry Talbott, Arthur Forrest,
A.S. Lipman, John Woodard, Chas. Bowser, H.M. Pitt, William Yearance,
Wictor Harmon, Elliott Townsend, E.A. Barron, G.D. Fawcett, Mrs.
Nellie Taylor, Carrie Turner and Louise Dillon. Directed by Max
Freeman.
March 3 and March 4, 1886 (matinee)
PRINCE LICHTENSTEIN’S ORIGINAL HUNGARIAN GYPSY BAND - M. Olah,
leader; C. Biringer, Manager.
March 8 through March 13, 1886
VAUTOUR, THE EXILE - by Adolphe D’Ennery. Starring Robert
L. Downing and Miss Constance Hamblin. Management by A. B. Anderson.
March 15 through March 20, 1886
EMMA ABBOTT and the GRAND ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY, performing La Traviata,
Mikado, Bohemian Girl, Linda of Chamouni and Il Trovatore. Wetherell
and Pratt, directors.
March 21 and March 28, 1886
ARCHDUKE JOSEPH’S HUNGARIAN GYPSY BAND - performances by the
National Ochestra from Hungary. Farencz Garay, Leader and Yanos
Pronay, interpreter and director.
March 22 through March 27, 1886
WE, US AND CO. - whimsical musical absurdity by W.A. Mestayer. Starring
W.A. Mestayer and Theresa Vaughn and their company of comedians
and vocalists.
March 29 through April 3, 1886
STORM BEATEN - drama by Robert Buchanan. Starring Edmund Collier
and Joseph P. Winter.
April 5 through April 10, 1886
THATCHER, PRIMROSE AND WEST’S MINSTRELS
April 12 through April 17, 1886
HUMBUG - comedy by Fred Marsden. Starring Roland Reed.
April 19 through April 24, 1886
JOSEPH JEFFERSON AND HIS COMEDY COMPANY - performing Cricket on
the Hearth (by Charles Dickens), Lend Me Five Shillings, and Rip
Van Winkle.
April 26 through May 1, 1886
BOSTON IDEAL OPERA CO. present Maid of Honor; Adina, the Elixir
of Love; Victor, the Bluestocking; Fra Diavolo. W.H. Foster, manager.
May 3 through May 8, 1886
ENGAGED - a burlesque comedy by W.S. Gilbert. Starring Mrs. John
Drew, supported by Sidney Drew, Charles Walcot, Edward Lamb, J.H.
Fitzpatrick, W. MacNichol, Louise Pearce, Elizabeth Andres, Sydney
Cowell and Alice Rutter.
May 10 through May 15, 1886
MCNISH, JOHNSON AND SLAVIN’S MINSTRELS - Under the management
of W.S. Cleveland.
May 1886
OUR AMERICAN MINISTER – presented by the Leland Comic Opera
Company.
July 26 through July 31, 1886
FALKA – comic opera by H.B. Farnie. Featuring the McGaull
Opera Comique Company.
September 13 through September 18, 1886
TALKED ABOUT - comedy by W. P. Cowper. Starring Viola Allen, with
Mr. Leslie Allen (her father).
September 20 through September 25, 1886
FREDERICK WARDE - Starring in Damon and Pythias, Ingomar, Richard
III, Virginius, Richelieu, Galba, the Gladiator.
September 27 through October 2, 1886
FRANK MAYO - starring in two productions: The Three Guardsman and
Nordeck
October 4 through October 9, 1886
THATCHER, PRIMROSE AND WEST’S MINSTRELS
October 11 through October 16, 1886
THE GREAT HERMANN - magician, assisted by Mme. Hermann.
October 18 through October 23, 1886
MARIE AIMEE in her farewell appearance. Performing two comedies,
Divorcons (by Victoriene Sardou) and Mam’zelle (by Gessop
and Gill)
October 25 through October 30, 1886
WOMAN AGAINST WOMAN - drama by Frank Harvey. Starring Effie Ellser,
with Frank Weston, Archie Boyd and Howe Robbins.
November 1 through November 6, 1866
LOUIS JAMES AND MARIE WAINWRIGHT - Starring in Virginius, Richelieu,
The Merchant of Venice, Katherine and Petruchio, Much Ado About
Nothing, Hamlet.
November 8 through November 13, 1886
THE CARLETON OPERA COMPANY - presenting Nanon or the Hostess of
the Golden Lamb.
November 15 through November 20, 1886
MIXED PICKLES! - comedy by T. H. Sayre. Starring Frank G. Cotter
and the Superb Comedy Company.
November 22 through November 27 (matinee), 1886
MINNIE MADDERN -- starring in Caprice (comedy by Howard P. Taylor)
Dangerous News (comedy by Minnie Maddern). Cast includes William
Morris, T.J. Herndon, D.G.Longworth, Frank Karrington, George Bailey,
Henry Webster, Odette Tyler, Mary Maddern, Addie Baker.
November 29 through December 4, 1886
A WALL STREET BANDIT - drama by A. C. Gunter. Starring Adkins Lawrence
and Viola Allen.
December 6 through December 11, 1886
WE, US AND CO. - musical by W. A. Mestayer. Starring W. A. Mestayer,
with Theresa Vaughn.
December 13 through December 18, 1886
AMBERG’S NEW YORK THALIA OPERA COMPANY - performing Don Caesar,
Czar and Zimmerman, The Black Hussar, The Merry War, Gasperone,
Nanon or the Hostess of the Golden Lamb, The Trumpeter of Saeckingen.
December 20 through December 25, 1886
LOTTA - Starring in Little Nell and the Marchioness, Bob, The Little
Dectective, Musette, Nitouche - With Fred Lennox and P. Aug Anderson.
December 27, 1886 through January 1, 1887
ALONE IN LONDON OR A WOMAN AGAINST THE WORLD - drama by Robert Buchanan.
Starring Cora Tanner. Cast includes Col. W. E. Sinn’s, Brooklyn
(NY) Park Theatre Company.
1887
January 3 through January 15, 1887
BOSTON IDEAL OPERA COMPANY - In repertoire presenting Martha; Adina
or The Elixir of Love, Victor, The Bluestocking; Maid of Honor;
Fra Diavolo; and Bohemian Girl. Principals include: Zelie De Lussan,
Louise Lablanche, Marie Stone, H.C. Barnabee, W.H. Clark, Tom Karl,
W.H. Lawton, W.H. Macdonald, Clement Bainbridge, and Ivan Morawski.
January 17 through January 22, 1887
THE DEACON’S DAUGHTER - by A.C. Gunter. Starring Annie Pixley.
January 24 through January 29, 1887
HAVERLY’S AMERICAN EUROPEAN MINSTRELS
January 31 through February 5, 1887
NANCY AND CO. - comedy by Augustin Daly. Presented by the Arthur
Rehan Company.
February 7 through February 12, 1887
MISS FORTESCUE - in her first Washington appearance. Starring in
three productions: GRETCHEN (by W.S. Gilbert), Sweethearts (by W.S.
Gilbert), Moths (dapted by H.Hamilton from the novel by Ouida).
Directed by Al Hayman.
February 14 through February 19, 1887
WILSON BARRETT AND MISS EASTLAKE -- in repertoire, present Claudian,
Hamlet, Clito and a triple bill of Chatterton, A Clerical Error,
and The Color Sergeant. Assisted by the London Princess Theatre
Co.
February 21 through February 27, 1887
IOLANTHE – operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan performed by J.C.
Duff’s Comic Opera Company.
March 1 through March 5, 1887
SARAH BERNHARDT in her farewell tour, performing La Dame Aux Camillias,
Fedora, Frou Frou, Le Maitre de Forges, and Adrienne Lecouveur.
March 7 through March 12,1887
MR. AND MRS. W. J. FLORENCE AND CO. - presenting Dombey and Son,
The Mighty Dollar, Our Governor, The Flirt, and Ticket-of-Leave
Man.
March 14 through March19, 1887
ARTHUR REHAN’S COMPANY OF COMEDIANS – presenting 7-20-8
or Casting the Boomerang (Wednesday and Thursday).
March 21 through March 25, 1887
PA! - comedy by Sol Smith Russell. Starring Sol Smith Russell and
Mattie Ferguson, Virginia Nelson, Emma Hagger, Emily Baneker, Frederick
Percy Marsh, Frank Lawton, A.H. Warren, Fred Pl Ham, and C. Van
Etten.
March 28 through April 2, 1887
THEODORA - by Victorien Sardou. Starring Lillian Olcott, with Horace
Vinton, Hudson Liston, and J.W. Kail.
April 4 through April 9, 1887
HAVERLY’S ORIGINAL MASTODON MINSTRELS
April 11 through April 16 1887
DION BOUCICAULT starring in Kerry, Fin Mac Cool and The Jilt.
April 18, 1887
JIM, THE PENMAN - drama by Sir Charles L. Young. Starring Frederic
Robinson, H.M. Pitt, Alexander Salvini, E. M. Holland, Agnes Booth,
Miss Maud Harrison, Mrs. E.J. Phillips and Miss May Robson. One
night only, “by invitation of the President of the United
States and Others” for the benefit of the Actors Fund.
April 19 through April 23, 1887
THE MAIN LINE - a love romance by Henry C. deMille and Charles Barnard.
Starring Frederic Robinson, H.M. Pitt, Alexander Salvine, and E.
M. Holland.
April 25 through April 30, 1887
ROBERT L. DOWNING starring in Spartacus, the Gladiator and Julius
Caesar.
May 2 through May 7, 1887
EMMA ABBOTTT and THE GRAND ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY - present Crispino,
Chimes of Normandy, Ermine, Lucretia Borgia, The Mikado, Bohemian
Girl, Il Trovatore, Mignon, Carnival of Venice. Directed by Wetherell
and Pratt.
May 9 through May 21, 1887 (two weeks) - no program file
KELLAR - an illusionist
May 29, 1887 (Sunday)
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AND THE U.S. MARINE BAND – presenting works
by Thomas, Sousa, Rossini, Verdi, Soderman, Fahrbach, Wagner, Godfrey,
Gounod and Marenco. W.F. Pruette, Baritone, Walter F. Smith, Cornet
Soloist, R.F. Cardella, Accompanist.
May 30 through June 4, 1887
DOCKSTADER’S MINSTRELS
June 2, 1887
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
June 13 through June 18, 1887
FITZ-GERALD OPERA COMPANY - second week of the summer opera season,
presents “Nanon” by Genee.
June 20 through June 25, 1887
FITZ-GERALD OPERA COMPANY - third week of the summer opera season,
presents “A Night in Venice”
June 27 through July 2, 1887
FITZ-GERALD OPERA COMPANY - fourth week of the summer opera season,
presents the comic opera, “The Mascot” by Audran.
July 4 through July 9, 1887
PATIENCE OR BUNTHORNE’S BRIDE - opera presented by the Fitz-Gerald
Opera Co.
September 19 through September 24, 1887
THATCHER, PRIMROSE AND WEST’S MINSTRELS – Under the
management of Henry J. Sayers.
September 26 through October 1, 1887
BEACON LIGHTS - romantic play managed by Chauncey G. Pulsifer. Starring
George Learock, T.J. Herndon, J. Hay Cossar, Ralph Dorman, Neva
Wharton.
October 3 through October 8, 1887
A PAIR OF KIDS - a satirical musical comedy by Ezra F. Kendall.
Starring Ezra F. Kendall.
October 10 through October 15, 1887
THE CARLETON OPERA COMPANY - in repertoire, present Nanon the Beautiful
(a comic opera) and The Merry War.
October 17 through October 22, 1887
FREDERICK WARDE starring in Galba, The Gladiator; Damon and Pythias,
Virginius, Delicate Ground, Katherine and Petruccio, Brutus, Gaston
Cadol and Richard III.
October 24 through October 29, 1887
THE GOLDEN GIANT - a new play by Clay Greene. Starring Mrs. McKee
Rankin. Under the management of H.C. Miner.
October 31 through November 5, 1887
THE HIGHEST BIDDER - comedy. Starring E.A. Sothern and the first
traveling company from the New York Lyceum Theatre. Directed by
Daniel Frohman.
November 7 through November 12, 1887
ARABIAN NIGHTS - burlesque by Alfred Thompson. Presented by the
Imperial Burlesque Co.
November 13, 1887 (Sunday evening)
THE GRAND SACRED CONCERT by Levy and his concert company.
November 14 through November 19, 1887
HEARTS OF OAK – by James A. Herne. Starring James A. Herne,
with Charles H. Clark, Phineas Leach, George C. Robinson, Grace
Huntington, Helena Cartland, Mabel Winter and Little “Tot”
Winter.
November 20, 1887 (Sunday evening)
THE GRAND SACRED CONCERT by Levy and his concert company.
November 21 through November 26, 1887
THATCHER, PRIMROSE AND WEST MINSTRELS – August Schroeder,
Musical Director.
November 27, 1887 (Sunday evening)
THE GRAND SACRED CONCERT by Levy and his concert company.
November 28 through December 2, 1887
LEND ME FIVE SHILLINGS - a farce. Starring Nat C. Goodwin, supported
by his own select comedy company.
December 5 through December 10, 1887
JIM, THE PENMAN - by Sir Charles Young. Starring Jos. E. Whiting,
H.M. Pitt, Ian Robertson, W.J. Ferguson, S. Miller Kent, Junius
B. Booth, H.S. Millward, Lysander Thompson, Harry J. Holliday, Edward
Stancliffe, Miss Ada Dyas, Miss Evelyn Campbell, Miss Jennie Eustace,
Miss Kate Ferguson. Presented by A.M. Palmer.
December 12 through December 17, 1887
CHECK 44 OR, TOBOGGANING - satire by W.A. Mestayer. Starring W.A.
Mestayer and Theresa Vaughn and their company of comedians and vocalists.
December 19 through December 24, 1887
PAWN TICKET NO. 210 - by David Belasco and Clay M. Greene. Starring
Lotta (in a play written especially for her).
December 26 through December 31, 1887
LOVE IN HARNESS and NANCY AND CO. - by Augustin Daly. Presented
by Arthur Rehan’s Comedy Company, “The Leading Comedy
Organization, traveling in the latest success from Daly’s
Theatre, New York.” Starring Miss Carrie Turner, Miss Adele
Waters, Mrs. Clara Fisher Maeder, Miss Lily Vinton, Miss Charline
Weidman, A.S. Lipman, George Parkes, Harry Hotto, D. Longworth and
Harold Russell.
1888
January 2 through January 7, 1888
DOROTHY - comedy/opera presented by the J.G. Duff Comic Opera Company.
Written by B.C. Stephenson, music by Alfred Cellier.
January 9 through January 14, 1888
BOSTON IDEAL OPERA COMPANY - W. H. Foster, Manager, presented Carmen,
Adina, Daughter of the Regiment, Fra Diavalo.
January 16 through January 21, 1888
HERMANN - magic presented by Mr. Herrmann, assisted by Mme. Herrmann.
January 23 through January 28, 1888
THE OLD HOMESTEAD - by Denman Thompson and George W. Rhyer. Starring
Mr. Thompson. With George A. Beane, Walter Gale, Chauncey Olcott,
Frank Thompson, Louisa Morse, Annie Thompson, Lillian Stone, Venie
Thompson, Minnie Luckstone.
January 30 through February 4, 1888
MRS. POTTER -- performing Loyal Love (comedy by Ross Neal) and Romeo
and Juliet. With Mr. Kyrle Bellew and Mr. Henry Lee. Henry C. Miner,
Manager.
February 5, 1888 (Sunday evening only)
READINGS FROM DICKENS -- readings by his son, Charles Dickens, performing
Doctor Marigold and Bob Sawyer’s Party.
February 6 through February 11, 1888
THE NATIONAL OPERA COMPANY -- Charles E. Locke, General Manager,
Gustav Hinrichs, conductor. The company presented Tannhauser, Faust,
The Queen of Sheba, Nero, AIDA, Lohengrin, and The Flying Dutchman.
February 12, 1888
WASHINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - concert conducted by John Philip
Sousa. Robert C. Bernays, concertmaster, assisted by Louise Natali,
soprano, George Iseman, pianist, Henry Xander, accompanist.
February 20 and 23, 1888
NERO, OR THE BURNING OF ROME - opera by Anton Rubinstein. Presented
by the National Opera Season, Charles E. Locke, General Manager.
February 21 and 25, 1888
FAUST -- opera by Charles Gounod. Presented by National Opera Season,
Charles E. Locke, General Manager.
February 22 and 25, 1888
SHE -- by H. Rider Haggard. Dramatization by William Gillette, music
by W.W. Furst. Starring Henry Aveling, William Faversham and Charles
Bowser.
February 24, 1888
THE QUEEN OF SHEBA -- opera by Karl Goldmark, presented by National
Opera Season, Charles E. Locke, General Manager
February 25, 1888
AIDA presented by the National Opera Season. Starring George H.
Broderick, Clara Poole and Charlotte Walker.
February 26, 1888
WASHINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - conducted by John Philip Sousa,
assisted by Max Alvary, tenor and Henry Xander, pianist.
February 27 through March 3, 1888
LOUIS JAMES AND MARIE WAINWRIGHT starring in Virginius (by Sheridan
Knowles), Gretchen (drama by Mr. Gilbert), Othello, Hamlet and Much
Ado About Nothing. [Note: filed under “James”]
March 5 through March 10, 1888
THE EMMA ABBOTT GRAND OPERA COMPANY - presenting Il Trovatore (Verdi),
Ruy Blas, Chimes of Normandy, Mikado, Carnival of Venice, The Good
Devil, Bohemian Girl. Starring Emma Abbott. Directed by Wetherell
and Pratt.
March 12 through March 17, 1888
MR. AND MRS. W.J. FLORENCE starring in Our Governor (comedy by Jessop
and Gill), Husband Hunting (one-act comedy by B.E. Woolf) and Dombey
and Son (two-act dramatization of the Dickens novel), The Flirt
(comedy by Gill and Melbourne), The Mighty Dollar (comedy by Wolf).
Supported by Henry Pierson, C.J. Bell, Clarence Montaine, F. C.
Wells, Miss Florence Noble, Miss Eleanor Lane, and Miss Belle Pierson.
March 19 through March 24, 1888
HELD BY THE ENEMY - by William Gillette. Starring Chas. W. Stokes,
James E. Wilson, William Haworth, H.A. Moray, Frank Hervey, William
Gillette, Jos. Humphreys, W.T. Doyle, T.A. Howe, Harry Rose, Jos.
Rickard, James Stanton, Walter Crook, William Francis, Charles Stoddard,
Mrs. Kate Denin Wilson, Miss Charlotte Behrens, Miss Minnie DuPree.
March 26 through March 31, 1888
THE JILT - by Dion Boucigault. Starring Dion Boucicault, Frank Roberts,
Herbert Leonard, J.C. Padgett, R.A. Roberts, Luke Martin, Fred Corbett,
Herbert Colby, Miss Thorndyke, Miss Jene Gordon, Miss Mary Barker,
Miss Julia Stuart, Miss Elizabeth Rowland.
April 2 through April 7,1888
JIM, THE PENMAN - by Sir Charles Young. Starring A.M. Palmer, Joseph
E. Whiting, S. Miller Kent, Ian Robertson, Guy Lindsley, Junius
B. Booth, H.S. Millward, Lysander Thompson, Harry Holliday, Edward
Stancliffe, Miss Ada Dyas, Miss Evelyn Campbell, Miss Jennie Eustace,
Miss Kate Ferguson.
April 9 through April 14, 1888
THE WONDERFUL KELLAR - presentation of magic and natural phenomena.
April 23 through April 28, 1888
MAZULM, THE NIGHT OWL - pantomime by Imre Kiralfy. Starring Imre
Kiralfy, the Vaidis Sisters, Dare Brothers, Braatz Brothers, Mlle.
Qualtiz, and Mlle. Newman.
April 30 through May 3, 1888
THOMAS W. KEENE –Starring in Richard III, Othello, Julius
Caesar, and Richelieu (by Bulwer) With Joseph Wheelock. Directed
by Ariel N. Barney.
May 5, 1888
PAUL KAUVAR - by Steele MacKaye. Grand production for the benefit
of the Statue of Washington, presented by the United States to the
Republic of France. Performance under the auspices of President
and Mrs. Cleveland.
May 7 through May 12, 1888
LOST IN NEW YORK - comedy drama by Leonard Grover. Starring Messrs.
Miles and Barton of the Bijou Opera House, NY.
May 14 through May 18, 1888
McNISH, JOHNSON & SLAVIN’S REFINED MINSTRELS - managed
by E.M. Castine, directed by H.M. Morse.
May 19, 1888
AN EVENING OF MUSICAL PERFORMANCES – featuring Miss Emma Thursby,
the Ricca Venetian Mandolin Quintette, Eugene de Danckwardt; Adele
Aus der Ohe, L. Ricca. Program includes the Overture from Encouragement,
arias from Faust and Rigoletto, a piano solo, and mandolin pieces
by Boettger and Bucalossi. Henry Xander, accompanist.
May 21 through May 26, 1888
A NARROW ESCAPE - a comedy drama by John A. Stevens. Starring Mr.
Stevens and his comedy company, including Hudson Liston, Fred Lennox,
Henry Holland, William Paul Brown, Marion Russell, Emily Lytton,
Margaret Lanner, Georgie Dickson.
May 28 through June 2, 1888
THE QUEEN’S LACE HANDKERCHIEF - an opera comique by Johann
Strauss. Presented as part of the Summer Opera Season by the Grau
Opera Comique Company, managed by E.G. Stone. Starring Lillian Conway,
Murtha Porteus, Mabella Baker.
June 4 through June 9, 1888
THE MIKADO by Gilbert and Sullivan. Presented as part of the Summer
Opera Season by the Grau Opera Comique Company, managed by E.G.
Stone. Starring N.S. Burnham, C.J. Campbell and George H. Broderick.
June 15, 1888
TESTIMONIAL TO LAVINIA SHANNON: THE MYSTERY OF AUDLEY COURT - starring
Ms. Shannon as Lady Audley.
June 20, 1888
THE MARBLE HEART - romance starring Edward H. Allen, Karl Decker,
Arthur Moses. Benefit performance for the Little Sisters of the
Poor.
August 27 through September 1, 1888
THE PAYMASTER - military melodrama by Duncan B. Harrison. Starring
Duncan Bradley Harrison, Elmer E. Grandin, Fred D. Munroe, and Neil
O’Brien.
September 3 through September 8, 1888
FORGIVEN - drama by Clay Greene. Starring Frederic Bryton.
September 10 through September 15, 1888
A PAIR OF KIDS - satirical musical comedy by Ezra F. Kendall. Starring
Mr. Kendall.
September 17 through September 22, 1888
THATCHER, PRIMROSE & WEST’S MINSTRELS - management by
D.W. Truss. Starring George Thatcher, George H. Primrose and W.H.
West.
September 24 through September 29, 1888
THE TWO SISTERS - play. Starring Frank Mordaunt, Ernest Foster.
October 1 through October 6, 1888
THE WORLD AGAINST HER - melodrama by Frank Harvey. Starring Kate
Claxton with Charles A. Stevenson, accompanied by Arthur H. Forrest
and Company.
October 8 through October 13, 1888
THE PRIVATE SECRETARY - Starring Harry Allen and Raymond Holmes.
October 15 through October 20, 1888
MR. & MRS. W. J. FLORENCE performing in The Mighty Dollar (comedy
by Woolf), Our Governor or His Little Hatchet (comedy by Jessop
and Gill), Heart of Hearts (comedy by Arthur Jones), and Dombey
and Son (by Charles Dickens, dramatized by Brougham).
October 22 through October 27, 1888
MAXULM THE NIGHT OWL - pantomime by Jerome Ravel. Presented by Imre
Kiralfy. Starring M’lle Grassi, Mons. Arnold, M’lle
Asteginao, Mr. J. Le Clair and the Dare Brothers. Supported by Imre
Kiralfy’s corps of danseuses.
October 29 through November 3, 1888
MARGARET MATHER - starring in Macbeth, The Honeymoon (comedy by
John Tobin), Leah, Romeo and Juliet, Lady of Lyons. With J. B. Studley.
November 5 through November 10, 1888
JULIA MARLOWE starring in Ingomar the Barbarian, the Hunchback,
Twelfth Night. Supported by Charles Barron and Ariel Barney’s
American Company. It was Miss Marlowe’s first visit to Washington.
November 12 through November 17, 1888
A HOLE IN THE GROUND (A WAIL FOR THE WOES OF THE WAYFARER) - farce
by Charles H. Hoyt.
November 19 through November 24, 1888
MONTE CRISTO - by Alexandre Dumas, adapted by Charles Fechter. Starring
James O’Neill with J.W. Shannon, Carroll Fleming, J.H. Shewell.
November 26 through December 1, 1888
FREDERICK WARDE starring in Damon and Pythias, Virginius, Gaston
or A Son of the Soil, Galba the Gladiator, Richard III and William
Tell, the Hero of Switzerland. Supported by the Joseph Brooks’
dramatic company.
December 3 through December 8, 1888
A PARLOR MATCH - comedy by Charles H. Hoyt. Starring Charles E.
Evans and William Hoey. Management by Harry Mann.
December 10 through December 15, 1888
LORD CHUMLEY - comedy by Henry DeMille and David Belasco. Starring
E.H. Sothern. Directed by Daniel Frohman.
December 17 through December 22, 1888
THE RIVALS - comedy by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Starring Joseph
Jefferson and his comedy company.
December 24 through December 29, 1888
THE WIFE - society comedy by David Belasco and Henry C. DeMille,
directed by Daniel Frohman.
December 31, 1888 through January 5, 1889
LA CIGALE comedy adapted from the French by Olive Logan. Starring
Lotta.
1889
January 7, 8 & 9, 1889
A TRIP TO AFRICA - presented by the J.C. Duff Comic Opera Company.
Starring Laura Bellini, with Hubert Wilke.
January 10, 11, & 12, 1889
THE BEGGAR STUDENT - presented by the J.C. Duff Comic Opera Company.
Starring Laura Bellini, with Hubert Wilke.
January 14 through January 19, 1889
SHE - romance by H. Rider Haggard. Starring M. B. Snyder, William
S. Harkins, Charles Bowser. Directed by Al Hayman.
January 21 through January 26, 1889
FASCINATION - comedy by Robert Buchanan. Starring Cora Tanner. Management
by Col. William E. Sinn.
January 28 through February 2, 1889
NAT C. GOODWIN AND HIS COMEDY COMPANY – Starring in A Royal
Revenge (comedy adapted by Wm. Yardley) and Confusion (comedy by
Joseph Derrick). Under the management of George W. Floyd.
February 4 through February 9, 1889
HERRMANN, THE MAGICIAN - assisted by Mme. Herrmann and d’Alvani.
February 11 through February 16, 1889
JOCELYN - romantic drama by Charles F. Coghlan. Starring Rose Coghlan.
February 17, 1889
THROUGH LONDON WITH CHARLES DICKENS – illustrated lecture
and readings from the works of Charles Dickens by Frank Oakes Rose
February 18 through February 23, 1889
MISS ESMERALDA - a burlesque by A. C. Torr and Horace Mills. Starring
Nellie Farren, Fred Leslie and George Edwardes’ London Gaiety
Burlesque Company.
February 25 through March 2, 1889
EMMA ABBOTT GRAND ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY - in residence. Presenting
Chimes of Normandy, Lucia, Il Trovatore, Norma, Ruy Blas, and Mikado.
March 3, 1889
BAYNE’S 69th REGIMENT BAND - presented a “Monster Sacred
Concert”. Soloists: Mme Ida F. Cortada, Soprano, Mons. Louis
J. Cornu, Violinist, Mr. H.A. Hall, Saxaphonist, Mr. S. Mygranto,
Cornetist.
March 4 through March 9, 1889
PAUL KAUVER - a drama by Steele Mackaye. Starring Joseph Haworth
and Carrie Turner. Directed by the author.
March 11 through March 16, 1889
ARTHUR REHANS’ COMPANY OF COMEDIANS - presenting Nancy &
Company, Seven-Twenty-Eight and Love in Harness!
March 18 through March 21, 1889
MINNIE PALMER AND HER COMPANY -- present My Brother’s Sister
(by Leonard Grover) and My Sweetheart (by William Gill).
March 25 through March 31, 1889
NATURAL GAS - farce comedy by H. Grattan Donnelly. Starring Henry
V. Donnelly and Edward Girard.
April 1 through April 6, 1889
ROBERT ELLSMERE - drama by Mrs. Humphrey Ward. Starring E.H. Vanderfelt
and John T. Sullivan.
April 8 through April 13, 1889
THE CRYSTAL SLIPPER (OR PRINCE PRETTIWITZ AND LITTLE CINDERELLA
spectacular extravaganza. Starring James Maas, Edwin Foy, Tom Martin,
and James E. Sullivan.
April 15 through April 20, 1889
JIM, THE PENMAN - by Sir Charles Young. Starring Joseph Whiting.
Directed by Mr. A.M. Palmer.
April 22 through April 26, 1889
HE, SHE, HIM\, HER - pantomimical comedy by Charles P. Brown. Starring
George
H. Adams, assisted by Miss Toma Hanlon.
April 29 through May 4, 1889
LYDIA THOMPSON AND HER GRAND ENGLISH BURLESQUE COMPANY - presenting
two burlesques: Penelope (by H.P. Stephens and Edward Solomon) and
Columbus (by George Dance).
May 6 though May 11 (matinee), 1889
THE WOMAN HATER - a comedy by David D. Lloyd. Starring Roland Reed.
May 11, 1889
CHEEK - complimentary testimonial to Miss Annie Lewis, by Roland
Reed and his company.
May 13 through May 16, 1889
STARLIGHT - a musical comedy. Starring Jarbeau, a gifted comedienne.
May 17 and 18, 1889
CHORAL SOCIETY - May Festival
May 27, 1889
PARADISE FLATS - comedy by Hubbard T. Smith. Starring Miss Feilding
Roselle and Miss Rose Cotterill.
June 11, 1889
COLUMBIAN UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL - 24th Annual Commencement.
June 15, 1889
THE BOHEMIANS - present two one-act comedies My Turn Next and Nan,
the Good for Nothing. A benefit for the Chesapeake and Ohio canal
sufferers.
June 24 through June 29, 1889
FRA DIAVOLO - opera by Aube. Presented by the Thompson Opera Company.
July 1 through July 7, 1889
THE MASCOT - opera by Audran. Presented by the Thompson Opera Company.
July 8 through July 14, 1889
IL TROVATORE - opera by Verdi. Presented by the Thompson Opera Company.
July 15 through July 21, 1889
A MERRY WAR - comic opera by Johann Strauss. Presented by the Thompson
Opera Company.
July 22 through July 27, 1889
THE BOHEMIAN GIRL - opera | 
