Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BIJOU THEATER
BIJOU THEATER. The Bijou, a famed Dubuque theater located on the northwest corner of Fourth and Main STREETS, was the successor to the COATES OPERA HOUSE.
In 1904 Jacob "Jake" ROSENTHAL, of Siegfried and Rosenthal of Omaha, Nebraska, was hired by the building owners to take over its management. Rosenthal was well-known in the theater business with ownership and control over six large vaudeville houses in the Midwest. With its opening night on November 14, 1904, the Bijou became his seventh. Complete remodeling of the Coates included new scenery and an "absolutely fireproof" curtain. The new theater was also on the booking list of the International Vaudeville Theatrical Exchange which "insured" first class talent. Rosenthal vowed that, "The entertainment to be presented here is of such a character that a man may take his family to it with perfect assurance that no suggestion of vulgarity will be forced upon him." Until June 1905, the theater daily presented a two-hour afternoon and two-hour evening performance with an admission price of ten cents. Six musical numbers were presented at each performance. The infamous Cherry Sisters whose "singing" often led to fruit and other produce being thrown at them were booked in 1906. In February 1907 Rosenthal offered for the fourth time since taking over the theater eight acts in the same week. (2)
Ever the businessman, Rosenthal offered such audience-building inducements as twins coming to the theater together having their choice of seating during the second week in January in 1910. (3) In November 1905 he advertised that a "Real Live Baby" would be presented to someone in attendance on a Saturday evening. True to his word, a beautiful little pink--pig--was bestowed to the winner. (see advertisement)
In 1908 the DUBUQUE OPERA HOUSE COMPANY purchased the building. Extensive remodeling began almost immediately. The stage was lowered from the second to the first floor, and four box seats were installed on each side of the expanded stage. The horseshoe-shaped gallery was often the scene of verbal exchanges between the "Packing House Row" on one side and the "Dutchtown Gang" on the opposite side. (4)
The New Bijou, considered one of Iowa's most beautiful, was destroyed by fire on April 7, 1910. Firemen discovered smoke coming from under the stage door. The origin of the blaze was never determined.
The theater owners announced immediately that architects would be arriving the following week to draw plans for a "larger and grander" theater. The actors and actresses left unemployed and in loss of their costumes by the fire sold tickets to a benefit at UNION PARK that was arranged to help them re-establish their acts. Work began on what became the MAJESTIC THEATRE.
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Source:
1. "Manager of New Theater in City," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, October 31, 1904, p. 3
2. "At the Bijou," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, February 3, 1907, p. 6
3. "He Wore Gold Coins in His Vest," Telegraph Herald, October 17, 1937, p. 7
4. "Dubuque Will Have New Bijou," Telegraph Herald, April 9, 1910, p. 3