This Day on Broadway

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

1/1 In Musical Theater History

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! On this day in 1897, Brooklyn merges with New York to become New York City and the largest city in North America. At the time, Brooklyn was the third largest city in the US. However, it retains its identity as part of the merger. John Phillip Sousa’s operetta Chris and the... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, December 31, 2006

12/31 In Musical Theater History

Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance opens today at the Fifth Avenue Theater in 1879. The only one of their works to premiere on Broadway, the premiere is important for establishing American copyrights, as no such laws exist between England and the US at this time. By premiering the opera... Sign in to see full entry.

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12/30 In Musical Theater History

Today in 1879, Richard D’Oyly Carte has a one-time premiere of the latest Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, The Pirates of Penzance, in the English seaside town of Briton, so he can establish British copyrights. The touring troupe has to perform the work with the script in their hands while wearing... Sign in to see full entry.

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12/30 - The Iroquois Theater Fire Special Report

On this day in 1903, during the matinee performance of Mr. Bluebeard at Chicago ’s Iroquois Theater, a blue arc light used during a second act chorus number started some scenery a flame. Although several stage hands attempted to put the fire out, it was too high for them to reach. Soon, the fire... Sign in to see full entry.

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Friday, December 29, 2006

12/29 In Musical Theater History

Edward Harrigan’s spoof of New York society Reilly and the Four Hundred (202p) opens this day at his theater in 1890. Opening today at Wallack’s Theater in 1902 is The Sultan of Sulu (192p). The musical starts a fad for placing Americans in exotic settings that will continue through the early years... Sign in to see full entry.

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Thursday, December 28, 2006

12/28 In Musical Theater History

The Gershwin brothers have another hit today as Tip-Toes (194p) opens today at the Liberty Theater in 1925. From this score comes Sweet and Low-Down and That Certain Feeling. Rodgers and Hart’s second musical opening of 1926 is Betsy (39p), opening at the New Amsterdam today. After several... Sign in to see full entry.

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Wednesday, December 27, 2006

12/27 In Musical Theater History

Fire inspectors visit Chicago ’s Iroquois Theater on this day in 1903 and proclaim it safe. (To paraphrase radio announcer Paul Harvey, tune in to this blog for the rest of the Iroquois Theater story, which will be featured in a future entry in here.) Rodgers and Hart open two shows in a row in 1926... Sign in to see full entry.

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Tuesday, December 26, 2006

12/26 In Musical Theater History

London ’s Gaiety Theater sees the first performance of Thespis today in 1871. The first Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration is not a success and the music, except for one song, a chorus (a little more about it in 4 days) and some ballet pieces, is lost. It is the only G & S operetta not to play... Sign in to see full entry.

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12/25 In Musical Theater History

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! Born today is musical-comedy star Fay Templeton (1865-1935). Victor Herbert’s Mlle. Modiste (224p) opens today in 1905 at the Knickerbocker Theater. Some of Herbert’s best work comes out of this operetta, including Kiss Me Again and I Want What I Want When I Want It. George M... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, December 24, 2006

12/24 In Musical Theater History

A revival of Babes in Toyland opens at the Shubert today in 1923, beginning a 20-year tradition by the Shubert Brothers of bringing back the operetta for Christmas performances. The 1925 edition of the Greenwich Village Follies (180p) opens today at the 46 th Street Theater, becoming the only... Sign in to see full entry.

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