Wallack's Lyceum

Site of first performance.

Site of the original performance.

Site of original performance.

Site of the original performance.

Site of original performance June 8, 1868.

C.B.S. mentions a revival of A New Way to Pay Old Debts at Wallack's (233).

Clare claims to have enjoyed Everybody's Friend at Wallack's, regardless of what the critics say (2).

Figaro mentions that the "benefit season" has begun at Wallack's (2).

Figaro discusses the first appearance in a year of Mr. Oliver Goldsmith and Mr. Lester Wallack at Wallack's in a performance of She Stoops to Conquer (5).

Figaro notes that Charles Reade's Never too Late to Mend is still being performed at Wallack's, which he thinks may be due, in part, to the "truly magnificent scenery" (5).

Figaro mentions that Wallack's will be another theatrical "head-centre" in the next week (4).

Figaro mentions that there will be a benefit at Wallack's next week for J.W. Wallack, during which he will star in The Iron Mask (89).

Figaro notes that even at Wallack's "business is the order" (25).

Figaro discusses a benefit at Wallack's headed by J.W. Wallack (105).

Figaro reports that Wallack's Theatre re-opened for the regular season on Thursday night (120).

Figaro reports that Dan Bryant will close his season at Wallack's that evening and will divide $24,000 in profits with the manager, Moss (57).

Figaro announces the plays at Wallack's during his announcements of theatrical events. He remarks that Taylor's The Serf has not been a hit and is to be replaced this evening by Colley Cibber and refers readers to the advertisement for more information (137).

Figaro mentions Dan Bryant's success in Miles-na-Coppoleen at Wallack's as a possible - and dismissed - topic for his column (9).

John writes that his wife Mary Jane wanted to go to Wallack's on their wedding tour (264).

Site of the original performance, Dec. 11, 1854.

O'Brien discusses a production of The Merchant of Venice at Wallack's (2).

O'Brien mentions that he has been to the rehearsals for the upcoming production of Merchant of Venice (3).

O'Brien discusses a performance of Wheat and Chaff (3).

Wallack's opened for its fifth season Sept. 21, 1865. The "outstanding feature" of Wallack's "theatre royal of America" in 1866-67 was the production of Roberston's comedy Ours preceeded by "minor successes and quasi-failures." Improvements were made to the theater for this season (as mentioned in opening show's program note): "during the recess the house had been cleaned at renovated througout, that extra stalls had been added, the parquette and boxes newly carpeted, and 'every requisite for the comfort and convenience of the audience carefully considered'" as well as "'a new stage has been laid and other mechanical improvements effected, in order to render the production of all plays in a most complete manner'" (128). Admission prices for orchestra seats were raised to $1.50, which is what the price remained in the best theaters for the next 20 years (128-9).

Odell argues that Wallack's 1867-68 company was the strongest company yet at Wallack's and "perhaps the most brilliant for comedy and drama known up to that time in America" (269). The strong cast, however, did not play the theater at the same time; some returned, some were new, and some left after short stints (269).

Odell mentions that Wallack's was reluctant to do Saturday matinees and "was about the last stronghold to fall before the demand to Saturday matinees." Wallack's only broke its tradition of not doing them for Oliver Twist, which was a great success and brought in weekly receipts of $7,256.70 and $7,394.55 for the week with the matinee performance (273).

Lester Wallack's return brought the theater successful receipts, even though a major actress, Mary Gannon, fell ill and eventually died. Lester Wallack abolished benefits and farces this season [1867-68] from Wallacks; other theaters followed suit amid controversy (275).

Wallack's began it 17th season (its 9th in the new theater) in 1868-69 on Sept.23, 1968. Odell feels that during this season the female cast list was a rare weakness for Wallack's. The much liked lead actress Mary Gannon has died and the others on female list seemed to match former greats. Receipts for the season appear to have fluctuated (414).

The controversial Much Ado About Nothing was performed at Wallack's in the 1868-69 season. It was the first time Shakespeare was performed at Wallack's; the performance may have occurred because of the opening of Booth's Theatre. Much Ado About Nothing was an extravegant production and was the last time Wallack's did Shakespeare until 1880 (416-419).

The 1869-70 season brought sense of competition from Booth's Theatre (founded the year before) and Daly's Fifth Avenue Theatre, which would soon become a theatrical force (559).

The theater had highly elaborate lease terms under William Stuart who contracted with J.W. Wallack. The terms of performances were very specific and Odell lists the staff salaries (19). Management of Wallack's was resumed by J.W. Wallack after a two-year break during the summer season of 1858. Stuart seems to have had a long-term connection to the theater.

Wallacks was regarded as the leading New York theater (and possiblty the leading American theater) during the 1859-60 season. Wallack's was usually family-run.

The last season at the Broome Street location was 1860-61. Wallack's moves uptown to Broadway and 13th. The theater closed early in 1861 with a series of benefits because of the war. The new theater opened in the 1861-1862 season. The new Wallack's was very large - the theater was leased in part on 10 lots owned by William B. Astor. This lease was for 20 years. "The site was so large that the theater could be built with comfort for all." The new seating capacity exceeded Broome St. by 1000+ seats. "[...]the last word of elegance was expressed in the architecture, the furnishings, the lobbies, and lounging rooms. For the twenty years of its existence Wallack's on this site was unquestionably the leading theater of the country, maintaining the best stock company conceivable, and presenting plays with an elegance and a distinction unattainable in any other American establishment." Opened Sept.25,1861 (377).

Wallack's was described as the "perfect theater" in 1862-1863 (462) and seems to have been unparalleled. The old theater reopened in the 1862-1863 season as a home for a season of German opera. Old Wallack's becomes known as the New Idea and collapses in August 1863, but reopens the next month as the New York Theater. Entertainment there seems to have been stale and derivative - ballets, pantomimes, etc. Reopened again that Nov. as the Broadway Amphitheater.

Rosedale, or, the Rifle Ball became a company/theater standard, especially for Lester Wallack.

The popularity of Wallack's seems to wane in the 1864-65 season; the crowds are less fashionable, unrefined, seats are sold to speculators right before opening night. These events are a change from sold out opening nights in the past (625).

Personne reports that there is nothing new at Wallack's and asks Lester Wallack to "hurry up" his Poor Young Man (3).

Personne reports that Brougham's Ruling Passion will be replaced by Woad to Wuin (2).

The column mentions a production of Prison and Palace. Wilkins notes that The Veteran has passed its 50th performance at the theater (2).

Personne anticipates that the Winter Garden will be competition for Wallack's. Personne mentions that the theater is set to open next Monday with a comedy from Brougham (2).

Personne writes that Wallack's Poor Young Man continues to make his "gymnastic sacrifice." Personne compares the staging of Lester Wallack's adaptation to the original (Le Roman d'un Jeune Homme Pauvre) at the French Theatre (3).

Personne reports that Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Florence will be at Wallack's for the Summer season. Personne reports that Brougham will not be performing at Wallack's after this season (2). Personne also reports that Tom Taylor's Overland Route will be performed next at Wallack's (2).

Personne mentions that Geraldine is still at Wallack's, but will be leaving next Wednesday (2).

Personne writes that it has been announced that it is the last evening of The Veteran (3).

Personne notes that Wallack's is presenting Buckstone's The Wreck Ashore. Personne reprints a letter to the Editor of the Saturday Press from Gayler about Many a Slip 'Twixt the Cup and the Lip, performed at Wallack's the previous summer (2).

Personne mentions that Geraldine is still playing at Wallack's (2).

Personne writes that Wallack's and Laura Keene's Theatres have closed "unusually prosperous" seasons (2).

Personne notes that The Veteran is still playing (3).

Personne reports that they "are still hammering away at the old comedies" at Wallack's. Personne also notes what is currently onstage and what is coming up at Wallack's (3).

Personne predicts a short run for A Husband to Order at Wallack's (3).

As You Like It is currently playing at Wallack's (2).

Personne reviews The Wreck Ashore. He also notes that Brougham's Romance and Reality will open there on Sunday (3).

Personne reviews the current play at Wallacks, a life story of the Earl of Rochester (2).

Personne reviews Brougham's The Ruling Pardon at Wallack's (2).

Personne reports that Brougham's Romance and Reality has been "revived" at Wallack's (3).

Personne mentions that Don Caesar de Bezan has been playing to crowded houses (2).

Personne reports that A Husband to Order will continue at Wallack's (3).

Quelqu'un gives his reasons for not wanting to say anything about Miss Jean Coombs at Wallack's (3).

Quelqu'un reports that the "young and popular artists" at Wallack's have announced that they cannot stay in New York any longer and the theater has been forced to "announce their eighteen last nights" (3).

Quelqu'un discusses the opening night at Wallack's, which featured The Royalist, or Forty Years Ago (3).

Reports that Florence will be doing "Toodles" at Wallack's (3). Reports that he has "issued a card" that states he will be opening for the Fall and Winter and will not be "giving up future management" (3).

Quelqu'un reports that the General has been seen at Wallack's several times during the week (3).

The company produced "Henriette," more widely known as "A Scrap of Paper," "the most charming of Sardou's comedies" (known in the French as "Les Pattes des Mouche"), as a result of the efforts of Wilkins to bring the play to American audiences (88).