American Theatre

Event Information

Venue(s):
Butler's American Theatre [444 Bdway--before 3/66]

Manager / Director:
Robert W. [manager] Butler

Conductor(s):
Fred Van Olker

Ballet Director / Choreographer:
Paul Brilliant

Event Type:
Variety / Vaudeville

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
5 April 2011

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

18 Apr 1864, 7:30 PM
19 Apr 1864, 7:30 PM
20 Apr 1864, 7:30 PM
21 Apr 1864, 7:30 PM
22 Apr 1864, 7:30 PM
23 Apr 1864, 2:30 PM
23 Apr 1864, 7:30 PM

Program Details

The Great Ethiopian Troupe (George Christy, Charley White, James Wambold, Johnny Allen, W. Burke)

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
aka Don Juan; or, The spectre on horseback
Participants:  James S. Maffit (role: Scaramouche);  Lizzie [actor] Schultze (role: Don Juan)

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 17 April 1864.

2)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 23 April 1864, 16.
“The Mammoth Ethiopian Troupe, The Great Pantomimic Troupe, The Splendid Ballet Troupe.”
3)
Review: New York Clipper, 30 April 1864, 22.
“The American, 444 Broadway, has about as versatile a company as any similar institution in the country.  In the Ethiopian department is that great New York favorite, Charley White, who knows as much about Negro Minstrelsy as any other man, he keeps a diary of all important events connected with the business, by which he can see at a glance when this company started, when that one organized, and when either of them gave up the ghost.  Charley used to have a gay little place in the Bowery, which he managed with much success for several years.  He is now one of Manager Butler’s right hand men, and one of his most attractive performers.  George Christy is also one of Mr. Butler’s company, doing Ethiopian acts, and making himself generally useful.  George has had a good many ups and downs in the world, and ten years ago his name was sufficient to draw a good house anywhere. The American is a snug place to visit, for you can see almost every variety of amusement there, and no increase in the price of admission in consequence of the rise in putty.”