Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
PEOPLE'S THEATER: Difference between revisions
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Designed by Sam Gulich, a talented scenic artist, the theater cost $5,000 in elegant renovations and the scenery alone was priced at $1,000. Fine stucco work and paintings decorated the walls and stage. (2) Opening night found the cream of Dubuque society in attendance with every seat filled. Stall seats cost seventy-five cents, dress circle and parquette seats sold for fifty cents, gallery seats were priced at twenty-five cents. Private box seats cost five dollars. (3) | Designed by Sam Gulich, a talented scenic artist, the theater cost $5,000 in elegant renovations and the scenery alone was priced at $1,000. Fine stucco work and paintings decorated the walls and stage. (2) Opening night found the cream of Dubuque society in attendance with every seat filled. Stall seats cost seventy-five cents, dress circle and parquette seats sold for fifty cents, gallery seats were priced at twenty-five cents. Private box seats cost five dollars. (3) | ||
Early Dubuque audiences were treated to performances of Shakespeare plays and translations of dramas in foreign languages. Comic performances included skits such as "The Dubuque Fireman" and the "Heiress of Julien Avenue." (4) | Early Dubuque audiences were treated to performances of Shakespeare plays and translations of dramas in foreign languages. Comic performances included skits such as "The Dubuque Fireman" and the "Heiress of Julien Avenue." Benefit night was a special feature of the People's Theater. Favorite stars were given a share of the box office receipts before their departure from Dubuque. (4) | ||
Critical reviews of the performances may have been affected by the attitude of the theater's management. Reviewers from the ''Daily Express'' were only given three tickets which were non-transferable. When the usual reporter was once unable to attend, his substitute was unable to enter leading to cold reviews for some period of time. (5) | |||
On May 27, 1859 People's Theater burned. This left the [[JULIEN THEATER]] without competition until the construction of the [[ATHENAEUM]] theater was constructed during the [[CIVIL WAR]]. | |||
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1. | 1. "People's Theatre Drew Dubuquers," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal'', August 24, 1930, p. 111 | ||
2. | 2. Ibid. | ||
3. | 3. Ibid. | ||
4. Ibid. | 4. Ibid. | ||
5. Ibid. | 5. Ibid. | ||
[[Category: Theater]] | [[Category: Theater]] | ||
Revision as of 20:01, 16 January 2018
PEOPLE'S THEATER. Boasted locally as one of the best theaters in the West, the People's Theater opened on August 31, 1857. It was located on the second floor of the Odd Fellow's building on the corner of Bluff and Eighth STREETS opposite the present site of the TELEGRAPH HERALD building. (1)
Designed by Sam Gulich, a talented scenic artist, the theater cost $5,000 in elegant renovations and the scenery alone was priced at $1,000. Fine stucco work and paintings decorated the walls and stage. (2) Opening night found the cream of Dubuque society in attendance with every seat filled. Stall seats cost seventy-five cents, dress circle and parquette seats sold for fifty cents, gallery seats were priced at twenty-five cents. Private box seats cost five dollars. (3)
Early Dubuque audiences were treated to performances of Shakespeare plays and translations of dramas in foreign languages. Comic performances included skits such as "The Dubuque Fireman" and the "Heiress of Julien Avenue." Benefit night was a special feature of the People's Theater. Favorite stars were given a share of the box office receipts before their departure from Dubuque. (4)
Critical reviews of the performances may have been affected by the attitude of the theater's management. Reviewers from the Daily Express were only given three tickets which were non-transferable. When the usual reporter was once unable to attend, his substitute was unable to enter leading to cold reviews for some period of time. (5)
On May 27, 1859 People's Theater burned. This left the JULIEN THEATER without competition until the construction of the ATHENAEUM theater was constructed during the CIVIL WAR.
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Source:
1. "People's Theatre Drew Dubuquers," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, August 24, 1930, p. 111
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.