The New York herald., 1921-02-20
When Wallack's Opened.
Notes From an Old Account Book of
an Event in Stage History.

To THE NEW YORK HERALD: The COM
ing September will mark the sixtieth
anniversary OF the opening OF the most
famous of New York's amusement
places. The following items from an
account book of the time may serve TO
recall the event and the actors In It TO
many old New Workers..
On the evening OF September 25. 1861.
while tho country was in the first stage
of the civil war, the amusement lovers
OF the city gathered in force to attend
the opening Of the new Wallack's The
atre at Thirteenth street and Broadway
a location so far up town that the erec-
ton OF a theatre at that point was con-
sidered an act OF folly on the part OF
the wallacks The doors opened at Z
o'clock, the curtain rose at 8, and within
the walls of the building was gathered
d delightful and fashionable audience
with everybody IN excellent humor."
The opening play was new comedy
entitled 1.-THE New President" written
by noted English author. Tom Taylor.
Tho prices for seats were from Is cents
to 81, with an added caution to the pub
Tic not TO buy Of speculators and fur
ther hint that no free passes would be
issued except TO the press. Between the
second and third acts the elder Wallack
addressed the audience in what proved
to be his last public appearance on the
gtage.
A large orchestra under the direction
OF Robert Stoepel, noted musician and
tho husband OF the celebrated actress
Matilda Heron, rendered an original
composition by tho leader called "A
Musical Panorama OF Broadway" the
parts consisting Of music supposedly
representing the noted places Of the
city; The Harbor OF New York, Dod-
worth's Band with Seventy-first Regi-
ment. Barnums Museum Brass Music
on Balcony. City Hall Mass Meeting.
Bryant's Minstrels. Laura Keenes, Cam
terbury Hall. Niblo's. Winter Garden,
Wallacks, winding Up with Thirty
second street Railway Galop; Bell
Whistle and Other Locomotive Effects"
In the cast Of tho play was Lester
Walacl, then AZ years OF ago and re-
ceiving for his eervices as actor and
stage manager s125 week. w. Il.
Floyd. 20 years old. received $40 week.
In later years Mr.. Floyd became noted
as stage manager and author. Charles
Fisher. the only male member Of the
company outside OF Lester Wallack 10
have his FIRST name printed on tho pro-
gramme, received $40 ana was then 46
years of age. To a Later, generation Mr.
Fisher was known as a member OF
Daiy's company.
w. H. Norton. two years the senior
Of Fisher. was paid $40. AIR. Norton
afterward became proprietor OF the
Shakespeare Vaults and Refreshment
Rooms AZ sss Broadway, q resort OF the
literary and dramatic men OF theN day.
Charles T. Parslos, Jr.. New York boy,
and = universal favorite Of the people,
was engaged at the .munificent salary
OF 80 week. Mr.. Parsloo attained
great reputation for~his portrayal Of
New York street characters.
George r. Browne, born IN New
Hampshire in 1893, got 50 also. on
the stage he was known as the popular
landlord OF an English ale house. orig
inaily located on Fourth avenue directly
opposite the stage door Of Wallack's
Theatre Ills name Is still maintained
over restaurant in the city.
Mrs John Hoey. leading lady OF the
company, the originator Of fine dressing