Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-03-05

~

Lackaye to play General Haverill,
Viola Allen played Gertrude ELL
ingham; Nanette Comstock was
the original Madeline West, Effle
Shannon portrayed Jenny Buck
thorn, while Dorothy Dorr played
Mrs. Constance Haverill. Other
actors who later became widely
known were John E. Kellard,
Harry Harwood, Morton Selten
and Harry Thorn.
Charles determined that the pub
lie should not lose sight Of "Shen-
andoah." All his genius for pub
licity was concentrated to this end.
Among the ingenious agencies that
he created for arousing suspense
and interest was rumor that the
manuscript of the third actN had
been lost. He put forth the news
that Mr.. Howard's copy was mis-
laid, and city-wide search was
instituted. All the while the com.
pany was rehearsing the other
acts, and anxiety about the MISS
ing act grew. A week before tho
production Frohman announced,
with great effect. that the missing
manuscript had been found.
When the doors of the Star
Theatre were opened on the even
ing of September 3, 1890, for the
first performance of Shenandoah"
the outlook was not very auspi-
cious. Rain poured in torrents. It
was almost impossible to get a
cab. Al Hayman, one of the owners
OF the play, was rain-bound and
could not even see the premiere of
the piece.
through the deluge, for the gross
receipts for the opening night,
despite the inclement conditions
outside, were $972. This was con-
sidered a very good house at the
standard prices of the day. which
ranged from 20 cents to $3.50. The
play was an immense success, for
at no time during the rest of the
engagement did the receipts at any
performance 60 below $1,000. The
average gross receipts for each
week were $4,000.
Charles Frohman watched the
performance from the rear of the
house with beating heart. The
crash of applause after the first
act made him feel that he had
scored at last. After the sensa-
tional ending OF the third act,
which was Sheridan's famous ride.
he rushed back to the stage, shook
Henry Miller warmly by the hand,
and said:
Henry. we've got 1t. The horss
is yours,'
He meant the horse that the
general rode in the play. This
horse, by the way, was named
Bess. 1t got so accustomed to its
cues that II knew when it had to
gallop across the stage One night,
during the second act. its cue was
given. The rider, however. was
not ready. and the horse galloped
riderless across the stage.
Shenandoah" led to pictur.
esque friendship in Charles Froh-
mans life. On the opening night
a gray -haired, military-looking man
sat in the audience. He watched
the play with intense interest and
applauded vociferously. On the
way out he met friend in the
lobby. He stopped him and said.
This is the most interesting war
play I've ever seem
The friend knew Charles Froh.
man, who was watching the crowds
go out. He called the little mana
ger over and said:
Mr.. Frohman, want you to
meet a man who really knows
about the Civil War.
This is General William 7. Sher-
man."
Sherman and Frohman became
great friends, and. throughout tho
engagement of Shenandoah was
1 frequent visitor at the theatre.
Not only did Shenandoah mark
he epoch of the first real success
n Frohman's life. but it raised his
whole standard Of living.