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 Tréville 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

1. Brown, Thomas Allston A History of the New York Stage, Vol. 3. Dodd, Mead and Company; New York; 1903:579
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 Pathé Lehrman and The Birth of Silent. Bear Manor Media. ISBN 978-1629331621.

External links

• Media related to Loew's American Theatre at Wikimedia Commons

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