Fifth Avenue Theatre

“These entertainments, which take a happy dramatic turn, are much relished by their audiences, and have, so far, been extremely well attended.”

“Mr. Leffingwell’s broad burlesque, Clorinda, has set the whole house in a commotion with laughter during the past week, and the same may be expected of Beppo.”

“This elegant and tasteful bijou of a theatre, devoted to the most comic of the comical in the way of burlesque opera and farce, was opened on Monday evening, for the season, with an exceedingly well selected cast for comedy, burlesque and farce, and has become one of the theatrical attractions of the metropolis. Last evening was given a rather disjointed, though clever and laughable, burlesque of Fra Diavolo, Mr. M. W. Leffingwell as the ponderous villain, Beppe, and Mrs. Sedley Brown as the noted and notorious brigand. Mr. Sol Smith made up excellently as Lorenzo, an officer of the police, whose courage is altogether not equal to his prudence or his passion for Zerlina, the beautiful barmaid. In this way of burlesque, well sustained, and yet bearing as close a resemblance to the original as to be recognizable in the separate situations, nothing more effective as Fra Diavolo as played at the Fifth Avenue has delighted those who love to laugh for a long time. Mr. Leffingwell seems almost Zogara-like. As Beppe he is the coarsest of men, and yet as Clorinda, in Cinderella, he makes up inimitably. As Romeo Jaffier Jenkins, in the afterpiece, Mr. Leffingwell exhibits another and different style, in which one would hardly suspect him of being a metamorphosed Beppe or Clorinda. The Fifth Avenue theatre, with its present cast, cannot fail to attract a large patronage.”

“The Fifth Avenue Theatre was liberally patronized last week, and the prospects are that the establishment of a burlesque company at this house is a success.  ‘Fra Diavolo’ was performed last week with a good cast; Leffingwell playing Beppo.  His make up for Forrest was excellent, and elicited shouts of applause.  Mr. Leffingwell is one of the best burlesque actors at present on the American stage.  Mrs. Sedley Brown made a fascinating Fra Diavolo, dressing with taste and singing with great spirit.  Sol Smith, Jr., was very good as Lorenzo, his make up being extremely ludicrous.  Millie Sackett made a favorable impression as Zerlina.  This lady is a pleasing and a pains taking actress and has been very favorably received by the patrons of this house.”