Bowery Theatre

Event Information

Venue(s):
Bowery Theatre (after 1/67)

Proprietor / Lessee:
William B. Freligh

Manager / Director:
William B. Freligh

Price: $.15

Event Type:
Play With Music

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
18 October 2018

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

31 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
01 Sep 1868, 8:00 PM
02 Sep 1868, 8:00 PM
03 Sep 1868, 8:00 PM
04 Sep 1868, 8:00 PM
05 Sep 1868, 8:00 PM

Program Details

The Bowery Theatre is reopening after renovations.

The reopening was originally scheduled for 08/29/68 (as indicated by the New York Clipper citation), but postponed (as per the New York Herald

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Mrs. W. G. [actress] Jones;  Charles F. [actor] Seabert;  William H. Whalley
2)
Life in the streets; or, The vicissitudes of an orange girl
3)
False colors; or, The free trader
aka Free trader, the
Text Author: Fitzball, Osbaldiston

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 29 August 1868, 2.

“Postponement of opening to Monday evening, August 31, in consequence of the extensive alterations.”

2)
Announcement: New-York Times, 31 August 1868, 4.
3)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 31 August 1868, 7.
4)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 31 August 1868, 2.

“Bowery Theatre…Now complete and ready. Grand opening.”

5)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 01 September 1868.

“NOW COMPLETE AND READY. GRAND REOPENING. Repainted. Remodelled. Redecorated. New Parquet. Sofa Seats and Orchestra Chairs. Third Tier and Gallery enlarged and refitted.”

6)
Review: New-York Times, 02 September 1868, 4.

“The Manager of this house of many memories has improved his time during the brief recess which he gave himself. A week has worked many marvels in the appearance of the theatre. Not only has the outside been freshly clothed in a garb of new paint, but the interior has been embellished in a style to satisfy every expectation which its new face may awaken. The transformation of the old pit into a fashionable parquette is the most startling innovation. It is a great wonder that the habitues of that quarter did not rebel outright at being sent up to the gallery, away from their familiar benches.” Concludes with brief history of the theater and review of the new play Life in the Streets. No mention of music.

7)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 05 September 1868, 174.
8)
Review: New York Clipper, 12 September 1868, 182.

“The Old Bowery commenced its season on August 29th [sic] in a new dress, the house, inside and outside, having undergone quite a transformation. The auditorium has been painted from dome to the place formerly called the pit; but the greatest change of all has been the closing up of the pit and sending a greater portion of the lovers of peanuts to the upper regions—the fourth tier. The pit has been closed by a partition from the facing of the dress circle to the flooring. A raised floor has been built extending from this partition to within five rows of the stage, which are called orchestra seats. Two passages for entrance have been made from the dress circle, and the parquet is nearly on a level with the dress circle. All the benches have been prettily painted and grained in imitation of oak and otherwise improved. Life in the Streets is the title of a highly sensational play given during the week, with W. H. Whalley and Mrs. W. G. Jones in the leading roles. Harry and Jennie Otifford made their debut in this city in this piece, and are engaged for the season. Business was not great during the week.”