An early theater history of Scranton. Wilkes Barre Poconos Houdini, museums, shows, magic, Steamtown, theaters, vaudeville, pa, Pennsylvania, tours, tricks, magicians, travel travel Houdini, museums, shows, magic, Scranton, Poconos, Wilkes Barre, Steamtown, theater, vaudeville, pa, Pennsylvania, tours, tricks, magicians, travel, escapes, illusions, Early theater history in Scranton. There was a time when Scranton was the 37th largest city in the United States.
Big money brings in big time vaudeville.
Big time vaudeville acts in those days traveled to a different major city each week of the year. Since Scranton was a major city at that time, that made us a major vaudeville stop. The biggest stars, who even today are household names, appeared here at the height of their careers, traveling on the leading vaudeville route in the country. Earlier stars who had performed in Scranton included Lillian Russell, John Philip Sousa, Lily Langtry, Buffalo Bill Cody, and others. A veritable who's who of show business.