This Day on Broadway

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Friday, April 20, 2007

4/20 IN Musical Theater History

On this day in 1895 John Phillip Sousa’s “El Capitan”( 112p) opens at the Lyric Theater. The best known of Sousa’s Operettas and the most performed and revived American stage work of the 19 th Century the musical stars DeWolf Hopper as the Peruvian potentate. It quickly becomes the biggest stage... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

4/18 In Musical Theater History

On this day in 1796 the first native American Opera “ The Archers, or The Mountaineers of Switzerland (3p) a comic opera by librettist William Dunlap and composer Benjamin Carr, premiers in New York at the John Street Theater. Based on the William Tell legend, its initial run was followed by two... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

4/16 In Musical Theater History

On this day in 1870 Vaudeville makes it’s first appearance in London at the Strand Theater. Due to the American nature of the style and the fact that it opens in the middle of the Gilbert and Sullivan era it never catches on in England. On this day in 1912 Al Jolson is awarded the first unofficial... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, April 16, 2007

4/16 In Music Theater History

On this day in 1906 John Phillip Sousa’s “The Free Lance” (35p) opens for a short run at the New Amsterdam Theater. Harry B Smith writes the lyrics and as always Sousa fashions a march from songs in the Operetta. On this day in 1952 a revival of the Vergil Thompson/Gertrude Stein opera “Four Saints... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

4/15 In Musical Theater History

On this day in 1915 the passanger liner RMS Titanic sinks after hitting an iceberg in the Atlantic and over 1500 people perish. A musical version of the sinking, written by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone will be seen on Broadway in 1997,winning the Best Musical Tony that year. On this day in 1927... Sign in to see full entry.

4/14 In Musical Theater History

On this day in 1865 the most famous event in American Theater history occurs as actor John Wilkes Booth shoots President Abraham Lincoln in the head at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. as the president watches a performance of the English farce “Our American Cousin” Booth escapes by leaping from... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

4/13 In Musical Theater History

On this day in 1923 the Guild Theater opens with a Shaw festival. The theater, home to the Theater Guild in the 30’s and 30’s and later renamed the Virginia Theater in 1981 and then The August Wilson Theater in 2006, will become host to many musicals including such hits as the 1926 edition of... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

04/12 In Musical Theater History

On this day in 1905 the Hippodrome Theater opens with the first of it’s spectacles “A Yankee Circus on Mars” (176p). The theater will be the largest ever built in New York, seating 5000 people. On this day in 1917 the Bijou Theater opens on Broadway. Built primarily for plays, two of the longest... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

4/11 In Musical Theater History

On this day in 1891 Weber and Fields end their 20 year partnership and go their separate ways. Fields becomes one of the must successful producers on Broadway, nurturing the careers of Richard Rodgers and Cole Porter while Weber retires. The team will reunite for two special benefit performances in... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, April 9, 2007

4/09 In Musical Theater History

On this day in 1950 the 4 th annual Tony Awards are held with “South Pacific” and Mary Martin winning Best Musical and Actress. On this day in 1957 Ed Sullivan turns over his show to host a tribute to Irving Berlin starring Ethyl Merman, Mary Martin, Bing Crosby and Berlin himself. On this day in... Sign in to see full entry.

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