American Theatre

Event Information

Venue(s):
American Theatre [472 Bdway--9/67 and after]

Proprietor / Lessee:
Robert W. [manager] Butler

Price: $.50, .35, .25

Event Type:
Variety / Vaudeville

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
13 February 2016

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

16 Sep 1867, Evening
17 Sep 1867, Evening
18 Sep 1867, Evening
19 Sep 1867, Evening
20 Sep 1867, Evening
21 Sep 1867, Matinee
21 Sep 1867, Evening

Program Details

Break o’day Johnny (Hart, Wednesday and thereafter) [perhaps play on the Johnny Thompson incident? See Eighth Avenue Opera House entry for 09/16/67]

Performers and/or Works Performed

5)
Participants:  Fanny Gilmore
6)
aka Lightening Zouave drill
Participants:  Carrie Austin
7)
aka Break of day Johnny
Participants:  Bob [minstrel] Hart

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 15 September 1867.
2)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 21 September 1867, 190.

“Bobby Newcombe [sic] is a great favorite with the audiences in Butler’s American Theatre in his song and dance acts.  Parties wishing to obtain copies of his acts should address him as per advertisement in another section.”

3)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 21 September 1867, 190.

“Johnny Thompson and Bob Hart, two of the best Ethiopian comedians in the business, appear at Butler’s American Theatre on the 18th inst.” [NB Thompson did not appear, see Eight Avenue Opera House entry for 09/16/67]

4)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 21 September 1867, 192.

“Newcomb! Newcomb! Newcomb! Bobby Newcomb, at Butler’s American Theatre, Broadway, is the most LEGITIMATE Song and Dance Man in the profession, meets with a perfect ovation every night.  Is the composer of the following exquisite Songs and Dances: - ‘Meet Me, Love, at Four.’ ‘She’d a Dark and Rolling Eye,’  ‘Lovely as the Rose,’  ‘I Feel So Happy,’ and ‘Waiting for a Broadway Stage.’  Go see his wonderful interpretation of Little Nell.  N.B. – Song and Dance Men, Comic Singers and Lady Serio-Vocalists wishing new compositions can obtain them by addressing me, 472 Broadway, New York.  His latest production, ‘Under the Gaslight,’ is an immense success.”

 

5)
Review: New York Herald, 22 September 1867, 7.

“Butler has become even more popular at his new American Theatre than he was at the old one.  Besides, his entertainment is of a much lighter standard and his programmes are a curiosity for length and variety.”

6)
Review: New York Clipper, 28 September 1867, 198.

“Bob Hart commenced an engagement at Butler’s American Theatre on the 18th inst., appearing in an act called ‘Break O’Day Johnny,’ also in the afterpiece.  He is one of the most original performers that puts on burnt cork in the Music Hall business.  He was enthusiastically received on his opening night, and was encored several times.  Carrie Austin does a very pleasing act called the ‘Lightening Zouave Drill.’ She handles the musket with remarkable rapidity, going through all the evolutions of a real ‘sojer man.’  Fanny Gilmore, in her vocalizations, is encored from five to six times each evening.  She has a good repertoire of songs, many of which are new.”