Memphis theaters

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Chicago Civic Opera Company program, Memphis, 1925

40-page program for the Chicago Civic Opera Company season at the Memphis Municipal Auditorium from February 26-28, 1925. Presented by the Memphis Civic Music League, the performances included "Mefistofele", "La Gioconda", "Thais", and "Tannhauser". The company included bass Feodor Chaliapin, sopranos Rosa Raisa and Mary Garden, and Olga Forrai.
Chicago Civic Opera Company program, Memphis, 1926

Program for the Chicago Civic Opera Company season at the Memphis Municipal Auditorium from March 4-6, 1926. Presented by the Memphis Civic Music League, the performances included "Aida", "La Traviata", "Carmen", and "Rigoletto". The company included music director Giorgio Polacco, sopranos Rosa Raisa, Mary Garden, Edith Mason and Claudia Muzio.
Creatore Grand Opera Company program, Memphis, 1919

Program for performances by the Creatore Grand Opera Company at the New Lyric Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 20-22, 1919. The company performed Rigoletto, Aidi, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci. The company's local representative was Angelo Cortese.
Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, program, April 1927

Program for "If I Was Rich" performed by the Gene Lewis-Olga Worth Company at the Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee, beginning April 4, 1927. The second Lyceum Theatre was built by H. L. Brinkley in 1894 at Second and Jefferson. This new Lyceum interior was lavishly decorated in a Spanish motif, with imperial green, rich yellow, and gold. It was the first Memphis playhouse to have electric lights. In a very short period, the Lyceum was considered the finest theater in the South. But new theaters opened downtown and the Lyceum began to decline. To survive, it switched to vaudeville in 1919, and then to motion pictures (the first to show movies regularly), and finally boxing and burlesque. It closed in 1935 and was demolished the same year.
Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, program, February 1904

Program for "Ben-Hur" at the Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee, beginning February 15, 1904. It starred William Farnum in the title role. The program is damaged in the lower left. The second Lyceum Theatre was built by H.L. Brinkley in 1894 at Second and Jefferson. This new Lyceum interior was lavishly decorated in a Spanish motif, with imperial green, rich yellow, and gold. It was the first Memphis playhouse to have electric lights. In a very short period, the Lyceum was considered the finest theater in the South. But new theaters opened downtown and the Lyceum began to decline. To survive, it switched to vaudeville in 1919, and then to motion pictures (the first to show movies regularly), and finally boxing and burlesque. It closed in 1935 and was demolished the same year.
Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, program, January 1927

Program for "The Girl of the Golden West" performed by the Laskin Players at the Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee, beginning January 3, 1927. It starred Mary Newton and Thurston Hall. The second Lyceum Theatre was built by H. L. Brinkley in 1894 at Second and Jefferson. This new Lyceum interior was lavishly decorated in a Spanish motif, with imperial green, rich yellow, and gold. It was the first Memphis playhouse to have electric lights. In a very short period, the Lyceum was considered the finest theater in the South. But new theaters opened downtown and the Lyceum began to decline. To survive, it switched to vaudeville in 1919, and then to motion pictures (the first to show movies regularly), and finally boxing and burlesque. It closed in 1935 and was demolished the same year.
Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, program, March 1926

Centennial week program for the Gene Lewis-Olga Worth Company at the Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee. The company performed "The Fool" during the week beginning March 15, 1926. The program contains brief biographies of the actors.
Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, program, May 1909?

Program for "The Chimes of Normandy" at the Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee, beginning May 10, 1909?. It starred Lottie Kendall. The second Lyceum Theatre was built by H.L. Brinkley in 1894 at Second and Jefferson. This new Lyceum interior was lavishly decorated in a Spanish motif, with imperial green, rich yellow, and gold. It was the first Memphis playhouse to have electric lights. In a very short period, the Lyceum was considered the finest theater in the South. But new theaters opened downtown and the Lyceum began to decline. To survive, it switched to vaudeville in 1919, and then to motion pictures (the first to show movies regularly), and finally boxing and burlesque. It closed in 1935 and was demolished the same year.
Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, program, May 1927

Program for "The Monster" performed by the Gene Lewis-Olga Worth Company at the Lyceum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee, beginning May 23, 1927. The second Lyceum Theatre was built by H.L. Brinkley in 1894 at Second and Jefferson. This new Lyceum interior was lavishly decorated in a Spanish motif, with imperial green, rich yellow, and gold. It was the first Memphis playhouse to have electric lights. In a very short period, the Lyceum was considered the finest theater in the South. But new theaters opened downtown and the Lyceum began to decline. To survive, it switched to vaudeville in 1919, and then to motion pictures (the first to show movies regularly), and finally boxing and burlesque. It closed in 1935 and was demolished the same year.
Lyric Theatre program, Memphis, 1912

24-page program for "Madame Sherry" at the Lyric Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning December 22, 1912. Constructed in 1908, the theater was originally called the Jefferson and was located at 291 Madison Avenue. In 1911, the owners changed the name to the Lyric. It remained a vaudeville house until the mid-1920s and showed movies. In 1930 it was renamed the Mazda Theater and was used for various events including boxing matches. The building was virtually abandoned when it burned down in 1941.
Robert B. Mantell company program, Memphis, 1919

Program for a performance of "Hamlet" presented by the company of noted Shakespearean actor Robert B. Mantell at the New Lyric Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee, beginning on December 29, 1919. The title role was performed by Fritz Leiber and Opelia was played by Genevieve Hamper, Mantell's wife.
San Carlo Opera Company program, Memphis, 1944?

Program for performances by the San Carlo Opera Company at the Auditorium in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 13-14, 1944?. The company, directed by Fortune Gallo and conducted by Nicholas (Nicola) Rescigno, performed Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, Faust and Il Trovatore.
Scotti Grand Opera Company program, Memphis, 1919

Program for performances by the Scotti Grand Opera Company at the New Lyric Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee, on April 28-29, 1919. The company was directed by Antonio Scotti and performed "L'Oracolo" and "Cavalleria Rusticana", and "Madame Butterfly".
"Victoria Regina" program, Memphis, 1938

Program for performances of "Victoria Regina" starring Helen Hayes at the Auditorium in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 28-29, 1938. Hayes first performed the play on Broadway, New York, in 1935.