Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-11-17
MUNICIPAL THEATER.
A Michigan city Provides n Play
house For the Public.

A Michigan City Provides Play
house For the Public.
The only municipal theater in the
United States is the Calumet, recently
opened in the flOurishing city of Cal
umct. Mich. Calumet has population
of 10000 and is the center of a rich
copper mining industry in the extreme
northern part of the peninsula of that
state.
This thcatcr is Il monument to the
enterprise and libcrality of HstiEring
inland city-a place which the frayed
but naughty actor of Shakcspcarean
parts would call provincial town, says
the Chicago Times Herald. 1t Is not n
playhouse merely subsidized by the
municipal government 1t Is owned
by the city. was built by the city and
Is now being conducted by manager
in the city's employ. The profits, IL
any. will go into the city's sinking
fund. When attractions are unprofit-
able from financial point of view the
deficit will fall upon the city's broad
shoulders and be borne without a MUIR
muir. The mayor, too, will act in his
official capacity as censor of prurient
plays. should that step become neces-
sary.
1t was formally opened to the pub
lie about two months ago, the attrac-
ton on this suspicious occasion being
comic opera company. which was
taken to the bustling northern town by
special train from Milwaukee and re-
cclved by the representatives of the
municipality with bands playing and
banners flying.
Some travelling men from Chicago,
New York, Boston and other big
towns. who happened to be in Calumet
that night were in doubt as to
whether evening dress would be the
proper form at the theater's opening
performance. They knew. Of course.
that it would be a great event but
some Of the eastern gentlemen predict
ed that many miners would be in evil
dencc. wearing blue Jumpers and their
pants tucked in the tops of their cow
hide boots. These smart chaps were
sadly mistaken. One of the natives,
In a confidential mood. told the travel
If they expected to be ''in the swim"
that night. They did as they were
told. and were mighty glad of it, for
1t proved to be a full dress affair for
both ladies and gentlemen. Calumet
does not approve of back numbers in
any respect.
This theatcr cost the taxpayers Of
the city over 100000, but no one ever
heard a grumble in connection with
the expense. 1t was erected as wing
or addition to the new city hall, which
is just now being finished, and the out
lay of money was no question so long
as the town got what it wantcd-a
playhouse that would reflect credit on
the townspcoplc's wide awake enter
prise and artistic Judgment. The or
chcStra chairs cost $40 each. The front
door hinges cost $50 pair. All fur
nishings are of the best.
AS result the thcater IS pronounced
by competent critics to be one of the
handsomest and most artistically
equipped examples of amusement in
this country. The whole structure,
which includes the city hall. is built
of brick. with handsome stone trim
mingS. 1t is three stories high. with Il
tower. the architectural chara cteriStics
belonging to the Italian renaissance
1t covers half a square near the center
of the town. AS to the thcater's di-
mansions. the following facts are of
interest:
Seating capacity, 200; height of
stage. GO feet; width of stage. G6 feet:
depth of stage IS feet; distance to fly
galleries. 80 feet; distance between
Orders. As feet.
There are two balconies, or, as COM
monty known, n balcony and top
gallery.
The theater is regarded by these peo-
pie as a civic necessity; hence they
have provided means for the amuSc-
ment of all at the common cost. Be
cause the theater Is Il delight they are
not blind to the fact that it is also one
of the most potent influences for good
or evil in the lives of community
They argue that it is the shame, the
fault. the crime of the state, that the
thcater is ever a school Of minerals.
They have undertaken to show by eX-
ample that it should never be left Who'll
ly to private interests, as it now is, and
permitted to teach, as it so often does
by example If not by precept, Infamous
and atrocious things. The city or the
state should be jealousy mindful for
the true good of those Institutions
which have power to touch the hearts
of the people.