Butler’s Combination Troupe

Event Information

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

Manager / Director:
Robert W. [manager] Butler

Conductor(s):
David Braham

Price: $.15; .25; .50

Event Type:
Variety / Vaudeville

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
21 October 2011

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

15 Aug 1864, 7:30 PM
16 Aug 1864, 7:30 PM
17 Aug 1864, 7:30 PM
18 Aug 1864, 7:30 PM
19 Aug 1864, 7:30 PM
20 Aug 1864, 2:30 PM
20 Aug 1864, 7:30 PM

Program Details

J. S. Maffit, stage manager.

Opening Night of the Season [MON]. Mons. La Thorne had been the stage manager almost since Butler opened American Theatre in August 1860.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Butler's Combination Troupe;  Corps de ballet, unidentified;  Florence Wells;  Billy Emerson;  Mary [dancer] Blake;  Ed. [American Theatre] Murray;  John T. Boyce [minstrel];  Jenny [American Theatre] Lorraine;  Annetta La Pointe;  Nelse Seymour;  Ida [dancer] Ross;  Lottie La Pointe;  Tony Pastor;  Johnny [American Theatre] Pierce;  W. A. (Billy) Burke;  Charley White;  Emma [dancer] Schell;  James S. Maffit;  Lizzie [actor] Schultze;  Julia Melville;  Lizzy Whelpley;  Millie Flora;  William H. [pantomimist] Bartholomew;  James F. Wambold;  Emma [dancer] Ross
2)
Old Granny Grumpy; or, The fairy of the golden wheat sheaf
aka Fairy of the golden wheat sheaf

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 23 July 1864.

“Workmen are busily engaged redecorating, upholstering and painting the interior of the American Theatre. . . . The opening night is set down for the 15th approx.”

2)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 23 July 1864, 119.

3)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 30 July 1864, 126.

4)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 08 August 1864.

5)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 13 August 1864, 144.

Will reopen on August 15.

6)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 14 August 1864.
Performers and directors.
7)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 15 August 1864.

Two ads.  Large one has performers.  Small one says: “Extra notice: The ladies and gentlemen engaged at the above establishment are requested to meet on the stage this (Monday) morning, August 15, at 10 o’clock for rehearsal.”

8)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 17 August 1864.
Full cast of Old Granny Grumpy. 
9)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 19 August 1864.

10)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 20 August 1864, 150.

11)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 20 August 1864, 151.
Performers.
12)
Review: New York Clipper, 27 August 1864, 158.

“An immense crowd attended the re-opening of ‘444,’ on Monday evening, Aug. 15, the doors and sidewalk being blocked up long before the time announced for opening, and when the doors were opened, there was such a rush as has not been witnessed since the ‘Rush-In Ball.’ . . . [E]very available spot in the house was occupied, and this, notwithstanding an increase in the process of admission, the tariff now being 15, 25 and 50 cents. . . . Everybody had a big reception, whether they performed their parts well or not.  The young fellers evidently could not see enough of the ladies, and they applauded them, and encored them, and shouted at them until the girls got frightened. . . . Throughout the week the business has been equally good with opening night.”