Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-01-11

to nave attained theatrical history.
Nearly all of the worlds dramatic
stars have twinkled behind the foot
/ lights of the Boyd theater. Trage-
dams, comedians, farceurs, operate
celebrities, emotional actors and
others have contributed their tai
ents. 1t is an old story with Oma-
hans that the acoustics of this thea
ter are unusually accurate and many
, eminent stage folk have so testi-
fed. ...-. .
When this fine old temple OF
Thespis is reduced to debris, the
structure that was, will long live in
the memory of/those who have been
its patrons during the years.
The late James E. Boyd, while
governor of Nebraska during 1890
purchased the site from Gen. w. w.
Lowe. He erected the building at
a cost of $250,OO0. When it was
opened, this theater was said to
have been one of the most substan-
tial playhouses in this country and
even today the auditorium has a
comfortable. cosy appearance. Fire
proof protection was built between
stage and auditorium.
First Play, Alabama"
Thomas Boyd, brother of the late
governor. was the first lessee. He
opened the theater September 8
1891, with A. M. Palmer's stock conf
Dany. presenting Augustus Thomas
American play, Alabama pro.
duced by = company of eminent
actors. In the cast we're: ]. H. Stod.
dart, as Colonel Preston; E. M. Hol-
land, as Colonel Moberly; Charles
L. Harris. as Squire Tucker;
Maurice Barrymore, as Captain
Davenport and Edward Bell, Ed.
ward Abeles, Walden Ramsey, Reub
Fax, May Brooklyn, Emily Seward
Agnes Miller and Mamie Craddock
The Bees review of the play re-
ferred to Mr.. Holland as the great
est character actor Of his time.
The opening performance was a
notable event in the theatrical and
social annals Of Omaha. In the
boxes were Governor and Mrs.
Boyd, Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Boyd
Mr.. and Mrs. Guy Barton, K. c.
Barton, Mrs. Will Willard. Mrs
Harry Rollins, Frank Morsman,
Will Gown. Frank Hamilton, Will
Morrow, Misses Jennie Yates, Belle
Morrow, Balcombe, Chambers,
Doane, Poppleton, Stella Hamilton
Della Chandler and others. Burt
Butler led the orchestra.
Before the curtain was raised on
the first act Governor Boyd was
called upon for a few words, after
which ]. M. Thurston responded
saying: Whoever causes smile
to ripple upon the lips. whoeve.
causes a CLEAN of joy in the eye
where a tear drop is about to fall
has done something for humanity.
Then the audience gave rising
testimonial of appreciation of Gov.
ernor Boyd's enterprise.
A Sweet Memory.
The following is an excerpt of ar
account of the opening: Omaha:
fairest danes and sweetest demoi'
selles, the gay cavaliers or sternei
parents were all gathered there to
participate in the opening of a new
temple of the muses., and incidentally
enjoy the story of the southland a:
revealed in Alabama, which inau
gurated auspiciously the theatel
erected through the broad progress
sive spirit of Governor James E
Boyd.
"The toilettes were exquisitely
rich and the whole effect was grand.
ly charming. Look where one would
it was a mass of bright colors and
myriad lights which set off the mu.
raj paintings on the walls, the ar
tistic decorations about the boxes
the luxurant furniture about the au-
ditorium, while the soft swish Of
silks and satins added to the hum OF
conversation, made the whole scene
one of kaleidoscope charm that will
long be sweet memory"
Among the present day Omahans
who attended the opening are T. ].
Fitzmorris, c. N. Dietz, N. P. Fell,
]. B. Haynes, c. E. Yost, Ed Peck,
Lucien Stephens, Luther Drake, w.
]. Council and c. R. Sherman.
Comedies Soon Started.
The second attraction at the Boyd
was Russell's comedians in THE
City Directory" Amelia Glover,
then wife of John H. Russell. was
one of the principals. Others whose
names have been familiar to the
stage were Dan Daily, Luke School,
craft, Burt Haverly, Charles Sea-
man, Julius Whitmark and Bessie
Cleveland.
The next booking was Thomas
w. Keene, famous tragedian, who
appeared in "Richelieu," Louis
XII" Merchant of Venice" and
Richard Ill" Then followed Patti
Rosa, accompanied by Joe Caw-
thorne, Will Vaudeville. and George
Bonifce in Imp" and Dolly Var
dem" During the first month Oma-
hans witnessed "Men and Women"
by Charles Frohman's company; ].
K. Emmett in Fritz in Ireland" and
L idIk DdH'ClSs with DCSSiC OduoOu,
in Little Puck" Some Omahans
may recall Daniels line, "You look
like a stack of red poker chips"
when he viewed Miss Samson in bril-
liant red costume. Hoyts "Trip to
Chinatown" with Harry Conor as
"Welland Strong" was one of the
early attractions. Harry Gilfoil was
in that popular comedy.
The Boyd attendant of other days
can recall DeWolf Hopper reciting
Casey at the Bait"
"The outlook wasn't brilliant for
the Mudville nine that day;
"The score stood 4 to 2, with but
one inning more to play;
"And then, when Cooney died at
first, and Barrows did the same.
"a sickly silence fell upon the pa