Wallack's Theatre
Coordinates: 40°45′24″N 73°59′18″W / 40.756657°N 73.988435°W
Four New York City theaters have borne the name Wallack's Theatre. Each has had other names before or after, or both. All are demolished.
The last was one of the ten theaters which in the early 20th century made one block of 42nd Street internationally famous for its concentration of playhouses.
The earlier three played an important part in the history of American theater, as the successive homes of the stock company managed by actors James W. Wallack and his son, Lester Wallack. During its 35-year lifetime, from 1852 to 1887, that company developed and held a reputation as the best theater company in the country.
James W. Wallack and Lester Wallack, father and son, were 19th century actors and theater managers; that is, entrepreneurs whose business was a theatrical stock company, a troupe of actors and support personnel presenting a variety of plays in one theater. Actor-managers, such as the Wallacks, were members of their own company. Often, a manager leased a theater from its owner, and since the building was deemed an important part of the playgoer’s experience, typically renovated it to his own taste. Sometimes a manager was able to have a theater built to his specifications, as did John Brougham.
On December 23, 1850, Irish actor-manager John Brougham opened his Lyceum at 485 Broadway near Broome Street. The next day, the New York Herald reported:
This new temple of Thespis was opened last evening, before a brilliant and crowded audience, with an which prognosticates its future career to be triumphant.…[It] is capable of containing about 1,800 or 2,000 persons.…The whole presents a very pretty little theatre.…Mr. Trimble, the well-known builder, has added another 'story' to his architectural fame….The opening entertainments commenced with a humorous and appropriate address, entitled 'Brougham and Co.,' in which the whole company were introduced.…The performances concluded with the laughable interlude of Deeds of Dreadful Note, and a new piece, called The Light Guard, or Woman's Rights.
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