American Theatre History

The first play ever produced on American soil… August 27, 1655 August 27, 1655 Ye Bare and Ye Cubb Ye Bare and Ye Cubb Accomac, Virginia Accomac, Virginia Fowkes’ Tavern Fowkes’ Tavern

The first playhouse in the American colonies… Williamsburg, Virginia Williamsburg, Virginia

The first professional theatre in America… William Hallam William Hallam

The first time American soldiers fired on American citizens… The Astor Place Riots The Astor Place Riots May 7, 1849 May 7, 1849 William Charles MacCready William Charles MacCready English English Astor Place Opera House Astor Place Opera House Shakespeare Shakespeare Upper class Upper class Edwin Forrest Edwin Forrest American American Bowery Theatre Bowery Theatre Shakespeare Shakespeare Working Class Working Class

The Astor Place Opera House

Bowery Theatre

William Charles MacCready

Edwin Forrest

First President Assassinated… Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln John Wilkes Booth John Wilkes Booth Ford’s Theatre, Washington D.C. Ford’s Theatre, Washington D.C. April 14, 1865 April 14, 1865

John Wilkes Booth (AKA J.B. Wilkes) Actor and Assassin Actor and Assassin First stage appearance: First stage appearance: 17 years old 17 years old August 14, 1855 August 14, 1855 Earl of Richmond in Richard III Earl of Richmond in Richard III Charles Street Theatre, Baltimore, MD Charles Street Theatre, Baltimore, MD Downfall? Downfall? Southern Sympathizer Southern Sympathizer

Sic Semper Tyrannis April 14, 1865 April 14, 1865 Went to get his mail, came out an assassin Went to get his mail, came out an assassin Stabbed Henry Rathbone Stabbed Henry Rathbone Shot Lincoln Shot Lincoln Dove onstage to escape Dove onstage to escape Broke his leg Broke his leg Carried to Garrett farm Carried to Garrett farm Shot and Killed on April 26, 1865 Shot and Killed on April 26, 1865

Common Works of the Late Nineteenth Century Most popular: Most popular: Shakespeare Shakespeare “…Shakespeare, had he been alive at the time, would have been, at heart at least, an American.” “…Shakespeare, had he been alive at the time, would have been, at heart at least, an American.” Development: Development: Melodrama Melodrama A sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions of the audience A sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions of the audience

One of the Most Famous Melodramatic Works Uncle Tom’s Cabin Uncle Tom’s Cabin Adapted by George Aiken Adapted by George Aiken Based on the novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe Based on the novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe Vital Abolitionist novel Vital Abolitionist novel Created Stereotypes we still know today: Created Stereotypes we still know today: The Mammy– affectionate, dark-skinned grandmother The Mammy– affectionate, dark-skinned grandmother The Pickaninny– black children The Pickaninny– black children Uncle Tom– dutiful, faithful, hard-working servant-slave Uncle Tom– dutiful, faithful, hard-working servant-slave

“The Mammy”

“The Pickaninny”

“Uncle Tom”

Climax Eliza escaping with her child Eliza escaping with her child

Theatrical Poster

African Grove Theatre New York City, New York New York City, New York 3 rd attempt 3 rd attempt Most successful Most successful First Play Written by an African-American First Play Written by an African-American The Drama of King Shotaway The Drama of King Shotaway Shut down in 1823 Shut down in William Wells Brown William Wells Brown The Escape The Escape Ex-slave Ex-slave

The Minstrel Show Popular Form of Theatre at the time Popular Form of Theatre at the time White, or black, actors dressed in “blackface” White, or black, actors dressed in “blackface” Comic skits Comic skits Parodies Parodies Buffoonery Buffoonery Slapstick Slapstick Revealed Revealed Racial stereotyping Racial stereotyping Racist Themes Racist Themes

Theatrical Syndicate Creators Creators Charles Frohman Charles Frohman Al Hayman Al Hayman Ade Erlanger Ade Erlanger Mark Flaw Mark Flaw Sam Flenderson Sam Flenderson Fred Zimmerman Fred Zimmerman Purpose Purpose A systemized booking agency for theatrical troupes across the US A systemized booking agency for theatrical troupes across the US

Rival: The Shubert Organization Creators Creators Lee Shubert Lee Shubert Sam Shubert Sam Shubert Jacob Shubert Jacob Shubert Purpose Purpose “Theatre for all” “Theatre for all”

Vaudeville The Variety Show is born The Variety Show is born Series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together and billed together Series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together and billed together Types of Acts Types of Acts Musicians Musicians Singers Singers Dancers Dancers Comedians Comedians Trained animals Trained animals Magicians Magicians Impersonators Impersonators Acrobats Acrobats jugglers jugglers Sources Sources Concert saloon Concert saloon Minstrelsy Minstrelsy Freak shows Freak shows Dime museums Dime museums Burlesque Burlesque

Burlesque Characteristics of Burlesque: Characteristics of Burlesque: Minimal costuming Minimal costuming Focus on the female form Focus on the female form Sexual innuendo Sexual innuendo Quick-witted humor Quick-witted humor Puns Puns Short routines or sketches Short routines or sketches Think SNL Think SNL

Birth of the Musical Comic Operas and Pantomimes performed Comic Operas and Pantomimes performed Minstrel shows - played banjos, tambourines, “bones”, sang, danced, and made jokes Minstrel shows - played banjos, tambourines, “bones”, sang, danced, and made jokes Music Halls and Vaudevilles - unrelated acts, magic, jugglers, acrobats, sketches, animals, singers, and dancers Music Halls and Vaudevilles - unrelated acts, magic, jugglers, acrobats, sketches, animals, singers, and dancers

What is a Musical? a play or movie in which singing and dancing play an essential part a play or movie in which singing and dancing play an essential part

The First Musical The Black Crook - Sept 12, 1866 in New York The Black Crook - Sept 12, 1866 in New York Ran 474 performances Ran 474 performances 5 1/2 hours long 5 1/2 hours long Mixture of drama, spectacle, scenery, transformations with ballet and scantily clad dancers Mixture of drama, spectacle, scenery, transformations with ballet and scantily clad dancers Lots of scenic special effects Lots of scenic special effects Produced in Birmingham, AL in 1882! Produced in Birmingham, AL in 1882!

The Black Crook