Evening star., 1950-12-03

ington are fast disappearing. To-
day. in many instances. only the
sites they once occupied can be
pointed out. The United States
Theater first opened its doors. ac-
cording to Aloysius I. Mudd, about
June. 1900. and this no doubt Is
correct. although Christian Hines,
who trusted entirely to his men,
ory. places the year 1901 or 1902.
This venerable gentleman says:
"The first play that was ever
acted in Washington was in Blod-
gett's Hotel, which then stood
where the General Post ONCE now
stands. I think it was in 1901 or
1902. The building, at the time
was not finished. The floor was
but temporarily laid with rough
boards. The seats, also, were all
rough boards, laid down to serve
as benches. On these boards. or
benches, the audience sat.
II remember how anxious the
boys were to get in and see the
play, and what tricks they resorted
to. to accomplish that object. They
went into the cells, or basement
story and, by the aid of q work
bench. hoisted themselves up to
the joist. Then they would re-
move one Of the boards Of the
temporary floor and by this means
q few succeeded in getting in to
see the play. This was known only
to q few. was one of those in
the secret and got in twice In that
manner. Several Of the cells of
the hotel at that time were occu-
pied by the families Of laborers.
The Original Kernans
Mr.. Mudd says the season closed
after a run Of about three months,
and mentions the following actors
who participated in the different
plays: "Mr. Warren, father Of Will
liam Warren, the famous come
dian Of later years; Mr.. Francis,
Mr.. Wood, Mr.. Bernard, another
noted comedian; Mr.. Cain, Mr..
Blissett, Mr.. Darley, Mr.. Warrell,
Mrs. Merry, Mrs. Snowden, Mrs.
Morris. Mrs. Warrell. Miss Broad
hurst. Mrs. Oldmixon and Miss
Arnold. The managers were also
actors. The company played in
Washington with great reputation,
but no proportionate profit, and
closed the season about September
Is. 1soo."
The Washington Theater, de-
signed by George Hadfield, which
stood at the southeast corner of
Eleventh and C streets, was first
opened Friday, November Is, 1904.
It's successor was last known as
the President Theater. but all old
timers recall the playhouse as the
Theater Comique or Kernan's
Lyceum.
The first building on this site
was begun in June, 1903, the OPEN
ing play being a grand medley
entertainment by the celebrated
Mr.. Maginnis from London, who
has performed in most of the
capital cities of Europe and
America" Later plays here in
cluded wives as They Were and
Maids as They Are" and ways
and Means, or a Trip to Dover" d"
Monroe Saw Play
Here. as far back as 1903, Joseph
Jefferson, grandfather of the
Joseph Jefferson of rip Van
Wrinkle" fame. played 1.-THE
Rivals" or "A Trip to Bath" and,
a year after Francis Scott Key
wrote "The Star Spangled Ban
ner," the piece was sung here and
was received with tumultuous
and unbounded applause" Short
ly afterward. Gen. Andrew Jack
son attended here a performance
for the benefit of the poor and.
in 1919. President Monroe and
his family witnessed a play here,
and it is said to have been the
first time a President attended a
Washington playhouse.
The theater was destroyed by
fire April 10. 1920. leaving stand
ing only the walls. In June.
1921, the site and some additional
ground were purchased by Lewis
Carusi. and here Mr.. Carusi built
his Washington City Assembly
Rooms, also known as Carusi's
Salon and Carusi's Dancing
School.
Prior to the Civil War, the
Washington Assembly Rooms were
engaged for the best functions Of
the city, and here the elite
gathered to dance at the in
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