Museum of the City of New York

The Museum of the City of New York’s Collection on Theatrical Broadsides illustrates the history and culture of performance in New York City, the city’s emergence as the theatrical capital of the United States, and the stage as a mirror for reflecting the social mores, economics, and tastes of a nation. Dating from 1785 through the 1890s, these broadsides contain information on the early history of New York City’s stage, how it shaped the cultural narrative of a metropolis, and the manner in which the city both influenced and was influenced by theater across the nation. By listing the productions, performers, theaters, admission costs, and broadside printers, these items provide diverse perspectives on New York City and carry value for anyone interested in New York City’s cultural history.

Preserving Performance Past: Conservation and Digitization of the Museum of the City of New York’s Collection of Theatrical Broadsides has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

**Monster constellation! The Worrell Sisters, Miss Annie Adams, Mr. J. H. Milburn, Miss Leona Dare, George and Charles Reynolds and others**
*George Atkins, Luke Schoolcraft, Joe Lang, Geo. H. Coes, J. K. Campbell, E. W. Prescott, J. W. Myers,...*

**Monday, February 10, 1873, third week of the great American actor, Mr. F. S. Chanfrau, who will appear in De Walden's celebrated original comedy in five acts, "Sam"**
*Admission 30 cents. Presented with entirely new scenery by John A. Thompson, novel pictorial and mechanical...*

**Grand revival of J. Pemberton Smith's and G. C. Howard's version of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"**
*The great original Mrs. G. C. Howard, the first lady who ever played the part, will appear in her world-renowned...*

**Monday evening, December 24, 1877, Rose and Harry Watkins in "The Pioneer Patriot; or, New York One Hundred Years Ago"**
*Every night and Tuesday and Saturday matinee. The charming young actress and songstress, Miss Amy Lee....*

**Monday, November 10, 1873, the young and sterling actress, Miss Louise Hawthorne, in the grand and beautiful picture of life in New York and California, entitled "Four Christmas Nights"**
*Admission 30 cents. Every evening and Saturday matinee, the celebrated actor and pantomimist, Mr. Hernandez...*

**Monday, April 14, 1873, the eminent Irish comedian and character actor, Mr. Dominick Murray, in the local drama, "The Gambler's Crime; or, The Murder on the Hudson"**
*Admission 30 cents. Last week of the young and dashing actress, Miss Minnie Foster, who will appear as...*

**Monday, February 9, 1874, the accomplished California artiste, Miss Amy Stone, in the grand military drama in four acts and a prologue, "Cigarette; or, The Little Leopard of France"**
*Admission 30 cents. Matinee performances Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the new musical...*

**Bowery Theatre. The largest and most elegant variety theater in America will open on Monday evening, February 11, 1878**
*The prices of admission will be reduced to the following low terms, commensurate with the times: gallery,...*

**"The Fair One With the Blonde Wig", "Bamboozling" and "The Skeleton Witness", Monday, May 22, 1876**
*Two performances daily. Curtain rises at 2 and 8 P.M. Entire change of performance. Engagement of the...*

**The celebrated actor and pantomimist, Mr. Hernandez Foster, in the sensational nautical drama from Frank Leslie's Weekly, "Jack Harkaway: Afloat and Ashore" on Monday, January 25, 1875**
*Two performances daily. Curtain rises at 2 and 8 P.M. Admission 25 cents. “Jack Harkaway Afloat & Ashore”...*

**Monday, January 14, 1878, Georgie Dean Spaulding, queen of the cornet and empress of the harp**
*Every evening during the week and matinee Tuesday and Friday. The musician and bell player, W. P. Spaulding....*

**Monday, February 11, 1878, "The 8th Ward By Day and Night"**
*Every evening during the week, and matinee Tuesday and Friday, the new local drama written by John F....*

**Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 29, grand musical and dramatic festival, afternoon and evening, for the benefit of St. Cecilia's Church (Rev. H. Flattery, Pastor)**
*The matinee will commence at 1:30 with the musical extravaganza called "Jenny Lind". "Lo Scapato" by...*

**M'lle Eme Roseau and Mr. Wm. Edouin will appear Monday, January 28, 1878, in "Babes in the Wood; or, Who Killed Cock Robin"**
*Pool & Donnelly, lessees and managers. Reserved seats, 50 cents. These seats in the orchestra circle...*

**Monday, March 11, 1878, Harrigan and Hart will appear in Edward Harrigan's great hit of the season, "Sullivan's Christmas"**
*Every evening and Wednesday and Saturday matinee. Overture by Dave Braham and orchestra. Last appearance...*

**Monday, May 5, 1873, the celebrated pantomimist and actor Mr. Hernandez Foster in his characterization of Monday, in the nautical drama from Frank Leslie's Weekly, "Jack Harkaway: Afloat and Ashore"**
*Admission 30 cents. Every evening at 8, and Saturday matinee, positively the last week of the engagement...*

**Monday, February 24, 1873, the popular American actor, Mr. Oliver Doud Byron, will appear in his great sensational play, "Across the Continent; or, Scenes From New York Life and the Pacific R.R."**
*Admission 30 cents. With new scenery from John A. Thompson, costumes by Mons. Phillippe, properties and...*

**"The Brigand" and "Americans in Paris; or, A Game at Dominoes"**
*Summer having driven into New York, in her glowing car, on tonight and every night during the heated...*

**Monday evening, October 9, 1865, Shakespeare's comedy in five acts, "As You Like It", with Miss Lucy Rushton as Rosalind**
*This establishment does not advertise in the New York Herald. The orchestra will perform the following...*

**Friday afternoon and evening, July 4, will be presented the new patriotic drama, "The Birth of Freedom"**
*Prices of admission: Boxes, 25 cents. Pit, 12 ½ cents. Gallery, 12 ½ cents. Orchestra stalls, 50 cents....*

**"The Brigand", this evening, Saturday, November 4, 1854**
*Produced for the fourth time in this theater, with all the original music, new and picturesque scenery,...*

**Benefit of the New York Foundling Asylum under the charge of the Sisters of Charity, Saturday afternoon, February 7, 1874**
*Eighteenth season of the world-famous Bryant's Minstrels, organized 1857. The felicity will eventuate...*

**Miss Laura Keene and Agnes Robertson as the Brides of Garryowen in "The Colleen Bawn; or, The Brides of Garryowen", tonight, Thursday, March 29, 1860**
*The entirely new Irish drama, in three acts, written by Dion Boucicault, will be presented for the first...*

**New play. Thrilling story. First night of the great drama, “The Courier of Lyons”, Thursday, October 19. Mr. E. Eddy in two characters**
*Three acts and ten tableaux. Dance by Mlle. Adeline. To conclude with “The Maniac Lover” with Mr. W....*

**Fourth night of the musical burletta, "Cupid", Thursday evening, November 18, 1841**
*After which will be presented the highly popular peculiarity, "A Lady and a Gentleman in a Peculiarly...*

**Brougham’s Bowery Theatre. Incomparable bill! Stay away if you can. Thursday evening, October 9, 1856, “Dred; or, The Dismal Swamp” and “Po-ca-hon-tas; or, The Gentle Savage”**
*Prices of admission: Dress circle and orchestra seats, 50 cents. Pit and gallery, 12 ½ cents. Boxes,...*

**"Dick the Newsboy; or, Young America", Monday evening, October 17, 1853**
*Farewell engagement of Mr. Barney Williams, the popular Irish comedian, and Mrs. Barney Williams, the...*

**Thanksgiving Day. The celebrated drama, "Don Caesar de Bazan" with Mr. Holland as Jacques Strop, Thursday evening, December 12**
*"Don Caesar de Bazan" will be repeated every evening this week. Incidental to the piece, a characteristic...*

**Tonight and every night, the new domestic drama, in a fairy frame, called "Dot", representing Charles Dickens' beautiful story, "The Cricket on the Hearth"**
*Winter Garden, a conservatory of the arts. Dedicated to the culture of comedy, music, ballet, by Miss...*

**The favorite one act piece, "Etonboy" to commence at 8 o'clock, Tuesday, June 22**
*Tickets, 50 cents. Private boxes, $5.00. From Morton, the author of "Poor Pillicoddy", "Going to the...*

**Monday, April 21, 1873, the eminent and popular artist, Mr. Dominick Murray, who will appear for the second week in the sensational local drama, "Escaped From Sing-Sing"**
*Admission 30 cents. Matinee performances Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, first appearance...*

**Mr. Wallack in his third appearance in three years, in "Ernestine; or, Wrong at Last", Wednesday, April 7, 1847**
*Boxes $1.00. Pit 50 cents. Gallery 25 cents. To conclude with "Don Caezar de Bazan".*

**For the benefit of Mr. Dyott, "Eugene Aram; or, Saint Robert's Cave", Tuesday, May 25, 1847**
*Boxes $1.00. Pit 50 cents. Gallery 25 cents. "Rough and Ready" and "Married Rake". Wednesday, Mr. G....*

**"The Fairy Spell; or, The Talisman of Fate", a new romantic operatic spectacle and drama in five acts, Wednesday evening, January 22, 1840**
*Triumphant and brilliant success of “The Fairy Spell”, produced at an expense of many thousand dollars....*

**Mr. Marble as Josh Sims in "Family Ties" and as Lot in "Hue and Cry", Tuesday, June 23**
*Boxes 50 cents. Pit 25 cents. Gallery 12 cents. Previous to "Family Ties", "A Man Without a Head". Wednesday,...*

**"Fashion" and "Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady"**
*Park Theatre. For the benefit of Mrs. Mowatt and last night of the engagement of Mr. W. H. Crisp and...*

**Second night of Miss Matilda Heron as Bianca in "Fazio", Friday evening, April 3**
*A variety of new and fashionable music by the band, conducted by Sig. La Manna. To conclude with the...*

**A new comedy in three acts, written expressly for this theater by Dion Boucicault, entitled "Forbidden Fruit", every evening and Saturday matinee**
*During the evening, the following music will be performed by the band, under the direction of Mr. Thomas...*

**On Monday evening, June 6, will be performed the opera of "Fra Diavolo"**
*Mr. Manvers’ farewell benefit and last appearance in America. The following distinguished artists have...*

**Monday evening, and every evening until further notice, will be performed C. M. Walcott's extravaganza of "Hi-A-Wa-Tha; or, Ardent Spirits and Laughing Waters"**
*Brilliant success of the popular favorites, Mrs. John Wood and Mr. J. Jefferson. Revival of Charles M....*

**Grand complimentary benefit to McKean Buchanan, "The Widow's Victim", Monday evening, July 12**
*Boxes and parquette, 25 cents. Private boxes, $3.00 and $5.00. Pit, 12 cents. Gallery for colored persons,...*

**Saturday evening, September 12, 1863, will be performed for the 11th time in this city, an entirely new drama in four acts by John Brougham, "The Mystery of Audley Court"**
*Winter Garden, under the direction of Mr. Humphrey Bland. Fourth week of Mrs. D. P. Bowers, who will...*

**Monday evening, April 27, 1874, benefit of the beautiful and gifted artiste, Miss Gussie De Forrest, on which occasion she will appear as Pauline in the celebrated drama, "The Lady of Lyons"**
*Admission 25 cents. To conclude with the comedietta of "A Female Blue Beard". Tuesday evening, April...*

**"Macbeth" for the benefit of Miss Cushman with Mr. C. Kean and Mrs. Fitzwilliam, May 7, 1840**
*After the tragedy, Mr. Ranger will sing (in character) "Paddy's Wedding." After which, the farce of "Mischief...*

**"The Upper Ten Thousand", "Right and Might", "Jewels of the Orient", "Musical Reminiscences" and "MacMurrogh's Sword; or, The Wild Boy of the Galtees"**
*Be on the alert for "The White Crook"! Prof. Tanner's wonderful troupe of performing dogs and monkeys,...*

**Mrs. Mowatt's benefit, "Man and Wife", Friday, October 2**
*Boxes $1.00. Pit 50 cents. Gallery 25 cents. Also, "His Last Legs; or, Experiments in Mesmerism" and...*

**Mrs. Blake's benefit, this evening, Thursday, April 6, 1854. For the first time in many years, S. J. Arnold's admirable comedy of "Man and Wife"**
*A variety of popular music by the orchestra. To conclude with the beautiful drama of "Ernestine". Friday,...*

**Wednesday evening, February 3, 1864, the performances will commence with the new original comedy in two acts, "A Bull in a China Shop"**
*Immense success. Mr. Frank Drew as Mazeppa and Mrs. John Wood as Olinska, the Pearl of Poland. The orchestra...*

**The eminent actor, Lawrence Barrett, as Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice"**
*In addition to which, Robertson's comedy in three acts, "David Garrick". Friday and Saturday evenings,...*

**Mrs. John Wood and Mr. John Wood in "Shylock; or, The Merchant of Venice Preserved", Monday evening, July 27, 1857**
*To produce a cool atmosphere, the Indian punka has been fitted to all parts of this building, this being...*

**Mr. Hackett, second night of his farewell engagement, as Sir John Falstaff in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", Wednesday evening, October 30**
*Boxes, first tier 75 cents. Boxes, second and third tiers, 50 cents. Pit, 50 cents. Gallery, 25 cents....*

**Mr. Hackett as Falstaff and Miss Fanny Morant as Mrs. Ford in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", Wednesday, August 29**
*Farewell nights and last night but two of Mr. Hackett prior to his departure again for Europe. After...*

**Mr. Forrest in "Metamora; or, The Last of the Wampanoags", Monday evening, June 2, 1834**
*After which, a favorite dance by Miss Johnson. In the course of the evening, the company will sing an...*

**Third night of Mr. E. Eddy. "Metamora; or, The Last of the Wampanoags", Wednesday evening, April 29**
*The performance will commence with the laughable sketch, "The Fellow That Looks Like Me". Concluding...*

**"The Dumb Belle" on Saturday evening, May 23, 1835**
*Last night but four of the farewell engagement of Mr. Power, in "The Nervous Man; and The Man of Nerve"....*

**Grand gala night. Mr. Edwin Booth and Mr. E. L. Davenport in "Othello", Monday evening, April 12**
*Several new and fashionable mazourkas, polkas, quadrilles, etc., will be performed by the band.*

**"Othello", Thursday evening, May 12, 1864**
*First night of the engagement of the grand combination of distinguished tragedians, Mr. E. L. Davenport...*

**First night of the engagement of Mr. Wallack and Mrs. Sharpe, "Pizarro; or, The Death of Rolla", on Monday evening, December 21, 1835**
*A pas seul by Miss Johnson. To conclude with the farce of "My Aunt". Tuesday, Mrs. Richardson's benefit,...*

**Monday evening, April 12, 1847, will be revived the tragic play of "Pizarro; or, the Death of Rolla"**
*Boxes, $1.00. Pit, 50 cents. Gallery, 25 cents. Benefit of Mr. Wallack and positively his last appearance,...*

Add all to lightbox

Remove all from lightbox

Add all to cart

Remove all from cart

Page

of 6

Display

Items per page

Active Lightbox:

Open Lightboxes