Tony Pastor’s Opera House: Grand Reopening

Event Information

Venue(s):
Tony Pastor's Opera House

Manager / Director:
John F. [1833-93] Poole

Event Type:
Minstrel

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
31 August 2018

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

03 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
04 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
05 Aug 1868, 2:30 PM
05 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
06 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
07 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
08 Aug 1868, 2:30 PM
08 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM

Program Details

Johnny Thompson did not perform as scheduled on Monday evening (08/03/68) because of a "sudden and dangerous illness." He reappeared on Tuesday (08/04/68), but "was pretty weak. He got through his performances, and continued on during the week." See reviews of 08/04/68 in the New York Herald and 08/15/68 in the New York Clipper.

Performers and/or Works Performed

3)
Text Author: Leybourne
Participants:  Tony Pastor
4)
Composer(s): Unknown composer
Participants:  Tony Pastor

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 01 August 1868.
2)
Review: New York Herald, 04 August 1868, 5.

“This famous temple of the Muses was well filled last night, the occasion being their reappearance upon their return from a provincial tour of the company which, under the management of the great Tony himself, had drawn full houses during the whole of last season. Prominent among the old faces, every one of which was cordially greeted, that received special recognition was that of Miss Jennie Engel, who, fresh from her triumphs in the Crescent City, where enraptured critics, dubbed her ‘prima donna,’ made her rentrée here amid a storm of applause. Miss Engel is unchanged by her Southern and Eastern tour and sings with the same spirit and dash as ever. She is announced on the bills as a serio-comic vocalist, but her status in the music world can be best appreciated by describing her as a female Tony Pastor. She has evidently made large additions to her repertoire, and three encores, for each of which she sang a new song, testified to the satisfaction of the audience with her efforts. Tony himself was the recipient of an ovation as cordial as it was enthusiastic, to which he responded in the manner most pleasing to the house by answering their repeated welcome with a song. The bill included the introduction of Johnny Thompson in some of his famous character songs and dances, but, owing to a sudden and dangerous illness, he was unable to appear. The performance closed with a new sensation drama, entitles the ‘Peep Show,’ which was well received.”

3)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 08 August 1868, 142.
4)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 08 August 1868, 143.
5)
Review: New York Clipper, 15 August 1868, 150.

“The company remains the same as last season, excepting the addition of Helene Smith and Johnny Thompson. The last named performer was unable to appear on the opening night, having been sick for several days; but he, much against the wishes of his friends, appeared on the 4th, and was pretty weak. He got through his performances, and continued on during the week. Each performer received a warm welcome, and the show went off very well. Johnny Thompson was favorably received, and, at the close of his song and dance, gave on the encore his performances on nearly every brass and string instrument in the orchestra. Miss Alice Somers shows signs of improvement in her clog dancing and receives an encore each evening. Jennie Engel sang a number of songs, which were heartily applauded. Tony Pastor appeared in a mélange of songs, singing, for the first time here, George Leybourne’s, the English vocalist, song of the ‘Clown in the Pantomime,’ and ‘Lights that we see in the City.’ Business was pretty good during the week.”

6)
Review: New York Herald, 20 August 1868, 4.

“This is the fourth season under Tony Pastor, John F. Poole, acting manager. During that time upward of one hundred and twenty new pieces have been produced, many of them proving exceedingly successful.

The Opera House was reopened for the season on Monday, August 3, the house in the meantime having been newly painted, decorated and reconstructed generally. The opening attractions were a sensational drama called the ‘The Peep Showman,’ Johnny Thompson, Ethiopian comedian, and Miss Jennie Engel, serio-comic vocalist, as the stars, three new songs by Tony Pastor, and the usual mélange. The business since the reopening has been very large indeed.”