Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-05-18
THE COLONIAL THEATRE
TO Be OPENED TONIGHT WITH 1.-THE
HOLY CITY" COMPANY.
Annapolis Historically A Theatre Town
First Theatre In America Erected
In This Cih,

Aonlgnt Will marx an important epoch
in the history of Annapolis. the seat OF
the first theatIe in America. AT 90
o'clock this evening the new and hand
some Colonial Theatre will be dedicated.
MIR. Elihu 5. Riley. the Annapolis histo-
rian, will make the dedicatory speech. in
which, in the name of the management,
he will turn the new theatre over to the
citizens of Annapolis.
Mayor Charles A. Dubois will accept
II on the part OF the city. Music will be
furnished by the Naval Academy band.
The doors will open at ? O'Clock, the ex-
ercises OF dedication beginning at 7. 20
O'Clock and the performance of "rhe
Holy City" will begin al o'clock. The
company arrived in this city last night,
bring their scenery and mechanical effects
The new theatre has been built as an
annex to the old City Hotel, where Gem
eral Washington spent macy nights. In
deed, the foyer has the same panels which
the Father of his Country admired. and
the same stairs leading to the balcony
that were there in colonial times. But
this is all that is colonial, the theatre in
its plans and furnishings is strictly up-to-
date In every particular.
There are six boxes on the ground
floor, 100 chairs in the orchestra and 7Io
chairs in the orchestra circle, all antique
mahogony, veneered. In the balcony
are 232 chairs OF the same material. The
gallery will comfortably seat five hundred
persons, and is located above and back
OF the first balcony. The theatre has a
proscenium opening, thirty feet wide and
twenty feet high, back OF which is large
stage, equipped with beautiful scenery
from Lee Lash's studio. New York.
There are twelve dressing rooms. The
curtain was painted by w. H. Labb, OF
Philadelphia, and is work OF art. The
scene is taken from Holland, and in
cludes rustic stone bridge and spark
ling streams. The fresco work of the
walls and ceiling was designed and exc.
cuted by Charles Hummel, OF Baltimore,
and when Electrician Boyd Dexter turned
the current on the goo electric lights Sat
urday evening the effect was magic and
the view was most beautiful.
The Colonial Theatre Company of An
napolis is incorporated with the follow
ing officers President, Z. D. Wolfe.
OF Norfolk, Va; vice-president, c. Z.
Ford, OF Baltimore; secretary and treas
uter, J p. Horsey, of Baltimore. The
directors are the above officers and John
r. Waggaman and Char.es L. Neff.
The resident manager is w. A Holle-
baugh. Tne building was erected by
Wells & Ward, OF this city. Messrs.
Neff & Thompson, of Norfolk, architects.
Annapolis is distinctly theatre town.
The first theatre in America was built in
this city in the year I757. and company
OF comedians from Virginia on Monday,
June II, played century and a-halt ago
The Beggars Opera" and "The Lying
Valet" In 100 the erection of a new
theatre was begun. This theatre stood
upon the present site of the Adams Ex-
press otflce, West street, and was pulled
down about eighty-ive years ago to
make room for the present building.
On Saturday, February 18th, 100,
Romeo and Julie" was played at this
theatre by the "Old American Company
OF Comedians" who during the same
engagement played "Richard III. -
Rlley's history says: The theatre in
Annapolis was the miniature of the prog
ress OF dramatic art the world over"
on Duke Of Gloucester street, on the
present site OF the Presbyterian Church.
ln the corner stone, laid August I4th,
1898. was copy OF the will of Gen
eral George Washington.
The corner stone OF this theatre was
that used for the West street theatre,
which was torn down in 1878. Since
this time, three quarters OF century ago,
Annapolis has had no regular theatre
until now, the Masonic Opera House
being used for performances. where mu-
sical talent and dramatic skill have oc-
caslonally afforded pleasure to cultivated
audiences. The opening performance OF
'he Colonial Theatre tonight, therefore,
marks an important event in The history
OF the Capital OF the State which, though
he seat of the first theatre in America,
has no, had building adapted for that
purpose for three quarters of century.