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Theatrical News History.
Old news items related to Bay City. (Page added June, 2010)

Preface: There isn't much documentation to be found on the history of local theater, yet what exists, leaves an impression theater (entertainment) related to Bay City's past would have been a very interesting experience. The following are what we've found covering a variety of items that you may find interesting.

1881 – Musical Courier:

Bay City, Mich., September 5, 1881.

-- The Fisher Opera House at West Bay City, Mich., was burned on Monday night of last week. Loss $20,000; insurance, $6,000.

-- Bay City, Mich., September 5. -- The dramatic season was opened August 25 by Sol Smith Russell in “Edgewood Folks.” September 10, Augustin Daily's Fifth Avenue Company will appear in “Needles and Pins,” with a matinee Saturday afternoon. September 15 we are to have “Hazel Kirke,” followed by the Hess English Opera Company. The sale of reserved seats has been changed from the post office to Van Syckle's music store, -- “an agreeable change,” so the ladies say.

Note: The Fisher Opera House was built by S. O. Fisher and H. H. Norrington, in 1876, a year later Fisher bought out Norrington's interest. After the fire in 1881 Fisher built a new block in 1882, which included a new opera house, it also included council rooms for West Bay City. -- [History of Bay Co., MI. 1883]

1885 – The Michigan Argonaut, Vols. 3-4. (Univ. of Mich.)

A decidedly fine entertainment is offered at the Opera Housenext Thursday evening, October 9th, and which introduces some unquestionably good talent. Mr. Harry Watson is without doubt one of the leading Dutch comedians now on the stage. He is ably seconded by Mrs. Watson, and several other variety and specialty artists. The fun is continuous and always clean and neat, never stepping beyond the limits of strict propriety. The jokes are new and fresh, and are sure to produce wrinkles in the faces of those present. Altogether we can promise a very delightful entertainment.

1886 – Life and art of Edwin Booth:

September 20, Edwin Booth to appear at opera house, Bay City, Mich.

1886 – The Chronicle Weekly Journal:

Fire losses: Bay City, Mich., Opera House; loss $50,000; insurance $13,500.

1886 – The Theater:

The McCaul companies. The week of September 6 will be spent in Hamilton and London, Canada, and Bay City and East Saginaw, Mich., in each of which cities they will inaugurate the amusement season, and in Bay City will be the first attraction of the new Opera House, just completed.

1887 – The Michigan Argonaut, Vol. 6.

No actor ever received the greeting on his initial appearance in Bay City that was accorded Charles Erin Verner at the opera house last night. There was standing room only, from parquette to gallery. In fact, it Was the largest house of the season. And “Shamus O'Brien” was deserving of its hearty greeting. No Irish drama ever seen here was so thoroughly enjoyed as was that of “Shamus O'Brien.” “The Ivey Left” and “My Geraldine” must give away to Verner's. The company is a strong one, evenly balanced, and the way they worked last night to please, proved that their best efforts were being put forth. The play is not too highly colored to be realistic. Some of the climaxes are sensational but they have to be. The audience demands that they be there.

Mr. Verner became a favorite as soon as his jolly, good natured face was seen in the first act and he grew in popularity as the play progressed, for he is about as clever an actor as is ever seen. -- Bay City Tribune.

1892 – History of Saginaw and Bay Counties, Mich.

Page 403. (Bio. Frank J. Buckley, father John)

The father of our subject was a contractor and builder of salt blocks in Syracuse, N.Y., and came to Saginaw to carry on the same line of work and put up some of the first blocks that were there located. In 1873 he engaged in the theatrical business with Samuel G. Clay and built the Saginaw Theatre and afterwards the Bay City Opera House which he put up in 1885, and which was afterwards sold to a stock company. He was theatrical manager for eighteen years and the only man who ever made a success of that business in the Saginaw Valley. He died in December, 1890, at the age of fifty years at Bay City, where he had long made his home, although he had acted as manager of both Port Huron and St. Louis, Mich.

1892 – Theatres in the United States:

Bay City, Mich.

-- Wood's Opera House. - Seats 1,400. Managers, Messrs. Clay and Buckley.

1904 – Julius Cahn's Official Theatrical Guide:

Bay City, Mich. -- Washington Theatre. Woods Opera House Co., Ltd, owners. W. J. Daunt, mgr. Seating capacity, 1,600. Width of proscenium opening, 38 ft. Height, 31 ft. Depth footlights to back wall, 4 ft. Between side walls, 62 ft. Between fly galleries, 50 ft. State to footlights 4 ft. Between side walls, 62 ft. Between fly galleries, 50 ft. State to rigging loft, 57 ft. No groves. Depth under state, 8 ft. 6 in. Traps, 1 center and 1 each side. Theatre on ground floor. Paper required, 9 stands, 60 3-sheets, 250 lithos. Ed Till, mgr. of stage and bill posting.

1907 – The Actors' Birthday Book:

William B. Mack.

An actor who as come conspicuously before the New York public in recent seasons, William B. Mack is fast gaining an excellent reputation as one of our best character actors and many bright prophesies are made for his future. He was born in Bay City, Mich., and served his stage apprenticeship in various traveling and stock companies, finally joining the forces of Clay Clements, with whom he appeared in “The New Dominion” and “A Southern Gentleman.” After this he was with Walker Whiteside in repertoire for several seasons, and then came his Broadway debut, the season of 1902-03, in the support of Mrs. Fiske, playing Simon in “Mary of Magdala.” Mr. Mack remained in the support of Mrs. Fiske until December, 1906, and many were the successes that came to him while in her company. It was the night of October 5, 1903, that saw his first big triumph, when he played Tesman in “Hedda Gabler,” all the critics giving him praise for this portrayal, and a year later he knew additional fame for his Schram in “Leah Kleschna.” Among some of the other roles that Mr. Mack played under the Fiske management wer Guiseppe in “Divorcons,” Phil McDonnel in “A Bit of Old Chelsea.” Dr. Rank in “A Doll's House,” Pitt Crawley in “Becky Sharp,” Didier in “The Eyes of the Heart,” Father Bertrand in “A Light from St. Agnes,” Mr. Trowbridge in “Mary Versus John,” and William Sudley in “The New York Idia,” a most versatile list of roles. After deserting the Fiske camp, he played Stephen Roland in “The Truth,” supporting Clar Bloodgood, and was then with Alia Nazimova, playing his former role in “Hedda Gabler.” An actor who has accomplished a great deal, Mr. Mack, unless the predictions of wiseacres go astray, will be a leading light among to-morrow's greatest character actors in this county.

1909 - The Moving Picture World:

Bay City, Mich. -- The “Wenonah” is Bay City's newest moving picture theater, and is one that ranks among the best picture house in the United States. Its seating capacity is 300, and the manager, Mr. Leahy, was more than surprised to see the large audience that attended his playhouse opening night.

1911 - Monarchs of Minstrelsy from "Daddy" Rice to Date.

Charles D. Burnham, an old-time comedian, was with Green's Mocking Birney Minstrels in 1871, also various other company's. He married Miss Jennie Davis at Kingston, Canada, January 5, 1872. He died at Bay City, Mich., August 1, 1902.

1914 Who's Who in Music and Drama:

Mack, William B. -- Actor.

Born Bay City, Mich; ed. In native city. His firt theatrical engagement was in the support of Harry Townsend, a Shakespearian actor popular in earlier days of Am. Theatricals. Concluding this engagement he appeared on tour with a number of small cos., presenting a wide range of plays, eventually appearing with Clay Clement, with whom he remained two seasons, appearing in The New Dominion and A Southern Gentleman. After a seaon in California stock cos., appeared with Walker Whiteside on tour, making his New York debut as Simon, with Mrs. Fiske in Mary of Magdals, Manhattan, New York, Nov. 19, 1902, with whom he appeared on tour, appearing also as Tesman in Hedda Gabler, as Schram in Leah Kleschna, as Giuseppe in Divorcons, as Dr. Rank in A Doll's House, as Father Bertrand in A light From St. Agnes, as Pitt Crawley in Becky Sharp, as Phil McDonald in A Bit of Old Chelsea, as Didlier in The Eyes of the Heart, as Mr. Trowbridge in Mary vs. John, as William Sudley in The New York Idea, and other important roles in her rep., 1902-06. His next engagement was as Stephen Roland with Clara Bloodgood in The Truth Criterion, New York, Jan. 7, 1907, after which he repeated many of his form parts in the support of Mm. Nazimova, when that actress made her first appearance in English at the Bijou, New York, Mar. to June, 1907. He also appeared as Helmer, with Ethel Barrymore in A Doll's House, and thereafter appeared as Dick Richards in Society and the Bull Dog., Daly's New York, Jan. 18, 1908, and in Brewster's Millions, on tour, 1908; as Marsh in Via Wireless, Liberty, New York, Nov. 2, 1908; with Mabel Taliaferro on tour, 1909; in the Spendthrift (then named Waste), on tour, 1909; as George Cowper in The Gamblers, Maxine Elliot's, New York, Oct. 31, 1910; as The General with Dustin and William Farnum in The Littlest Rebel, Liberty, New York, Nov. 14, 1911; as Jose Garson in Within The Law, Princess, Chicago, Apr. 6, 1912, later Eltinge, New York, Sept. 11, 1912. Permanent address: The Lambs, New York.

1917 – Photoplay:

A.G. Chicago – Yes, Bill Hart told us he shook hands with you. He thinks you're an awfully nice gal. Harry Watson (Musty Suffer) isn't that bad looking in real life. He is a native of West Bay City, Mich., and traveled with the circus before going into vaudeville.

1918 – International Who's Who in Music and Musical Gazettee:

HASTINGS, George Albert:

Bass (rant 2 ½ octaves: b. Bay City, Mich., s. Christopher Albert H.; ed. Park Sch., Bay City; stud. Wash.; unmarried. Has sung Tenando in “Trovators,” 1914; Plunkeet in “Martha,” 1915; Daland in “Flying Dutchman,” 1915; Casper in “Der Freischult.” 1916; bass parts in “Elijah” and “Messiah”; appeared with Theo Karie and Constantino; soloist Amphion Soc., 3 yrs. Schubert Club, 1 yr., Arion Soc., 2 yrs.; at present soloist St. Marks Ch. Mem. Aphion Soc.; Verein Arion. Address 702 Fisher Studio Bldg., Seattle, Wash. Home 406 East John St., Seattle, Wash.

WERLEIN, Elizabeth I:

Singer, patron: b. Bay City, Mich. d. Henry H. and Maria Louise (Smith) Thomas; ed. In Europe; stud. Singing w. Antonio Baldelli and Jean de Reszke in Paris. Active patron of music, sec.-treas. New Orleans Philharmonic Soc., an organization of 2,000 mem. (largest in the southern U.S.). Address: 228 St. Charles ave, New Orleans, La.

MUELLER, Therese von Nostits:

Pianist, lecturer, teacher; b. Port Huron, Mich., May 30, 1877, daughter of John J. and Hermine (Liersch) von Nostitz; niece of Johannes Wolff von Ehrenstein, blind pianist and composer, of Dresden; educated pulbic schools, Detroit, Mich., student piano with Franz A. Apel, Julius V. Seyler, Harold Henry; married Adolph F. Mueller, Detroit, July 12, 1901. Began teaching when 15 years-old; played and lectured throughout Michigan; accompanist for Marie Herites, Bohemian violinist, 2 years, and many other artists in Bay City and Detroit. Vice-president Michigan Music Teachers' Association, 6 years. Address: 610 N. Sheridan St., Bay City, Mich.

COOKE, James Francis:

Editor, teacher, organist, conductor; born Bay City, Mich., Nov. 14, 1875, son of George Anderson and Caroline Barsheba (Johnson) C.; educated public schools, Brooklyn Boys High School; studied with Walter Henry Hall, R. Huntington Woodman, E. Ebberhard in America, Herman Ritter, Max Meyer-Olbersleben in Wurzburg Cons., Germany; married Betsy E. Beckwith, singer, April 12, 1889 (1 son). Began teaching in New York at age of 13; made debut as pianist together with wife (as singer); gave numerous recitals; taught piano continually until age 33, inventing various original methods; taught singing 10 years; organist in Brooklyn churches and conductor of choral clubs; has given numerous lectures, and written extensively in English and German, now writing in Italian; became editor of “The Etude,” 1907. Has composed piano pieces and songs. Author: “Standard History of Music”; Great Pianists on Piano Playing”; “Mastering the Scales and Arpeggios.” President Philadelphia Music Teachers' Association since 1911, Writeabout Club; treasurer Presser Foundation; chairman music, Shakespeare Festival, 1911; member Philadelphia Art Club; president Drama League of Philadelphia. Address: 1712 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Home: Lianberris Road, Bala, Pa.

1918 – Michigan Film Review:

REGENT THEATRE, BAY CITY, NOW OPEN. The new Regent theatre, Bay City, Fred B. Williams, manager, was formally opened last Saturday night to tremendous crowds. “The Auction Block” was the attention. The Regent theatre cost $750,000, and seat 1,400. There are 486 sets on the lower floor, 494 in balcony and 60 in the boxes and loges.

1919 – Comedians All, by George Jean Nathan:

Harry Watson, Jr. -- That Mr. Harry Watson, Jr., is one of the finest comic artists of the American state is demonstrated anew with each successive year. An alumnus of the same burlesque troupe that graduated that other excellent comedian, Mr. George Bickel, Watson's authentic talents, like those of his colleague, have long been overlooked – or if not entirely overlooked, greatly disparaged – by annalists of the stage who vouchsafe to low comedy merely a casual and then grudged attention. Yet the fact doubless remains that this Watson is an actor of uncommon quality, not a mere slapstick pantaloon, an assaulter of trousers' seats, a professor of the bladder, but a mimic of exceptional capacity, a pantomimist of the very first grade and a comedian of real histrionic parts. Watson's depiction of the tenth-rate prize fighter, with it suggestion not simply of such obvious externals as speech, walk, et cetera, but with its subtle revelation of the pug's mind, thoughts and general singularities, is as admirable a bit of acting as the native stage has conceded in years. The thing is searching, vivid, brilliant; it measures with the best work, in more exalted dramatic regions, of such capable actors as Arnold Daly or the late Robert Fischer or Ditrichstein. To see it is to look into the soul of the cheap bruiser as that soul has rarely been transcribed to paper. The half-droop of the one eye, the intermittent Maude Adams toss of the neck, the setting of the far right tooth, the disdain of the lip, the nervous knee – these Waston negotiates with a diplomacy as far removed from the usual and patent tactic as his negotiation of the portrayal of the telephone commuter is removed from the level of the vaudevilles.

For some reason or other, the work of such comedians as Watson is held generally in artistic and critical disesteem. Why, God and the Evening Post alone know. For among these comedians one finds a senitiveness, an eye to human nature and a schooling in projection that one encounters with extreme rarity on the dramatic stage. The scorn these fellows suffer is part of our native theatrical snobbery. In England, George Robey is recognized for the artist he is; in France, Germain and others like him have received their portion. But in our country the actor is rated not so much according to his intrinsic ability as according to the ability of the playwright who supplies his roles. And yet such a comedian as Bickel remains at bottom a more susceptive and penetrating comic artist than any half dozen Leo Carrillos, and such a comedian as this Watson a more striking adventurer in the gallery of human nature and its portrayal than any double dozen of Russ Whytals, Robert Edesons, Richard Bennetts and Howard Kyles.

1921 – Catalog of Copyrights:

Mario Tiber; a play in 4 acts, by R. P. Leahy. 163, [1] p. 4to. Typewritten. [4292] (c) 1 c. Feb. 17, 1921; D 56838; Richard P. Leahy, Bay City, Mich.

Snobs (The); or, Hadley's party, a comedy in 5 acts, by R. P. Leahy. 2 p. 1., 108 p. 4to. Typewritten [4375] (c) 1 c. Jan. 13, 1921; D 56587; Richard P. Leahy, Bay City, Mich.

1922 - The Michigan Alumnus, Vol. 28, 1922

Some notes on the Union Opera. Perhaps the most trite and overworked phrase periodically crammed down the throats of Michigan students and alumni is “the Union opera will be bigger and better than ever this year.” There are times, though, when time-worn expressions are the only ones which will really do justice to the occasion, and the Union feels that this year's production, “Make It For Two,” written by Leo Niedzielski, of Bay City, will meet all the requirements. (pic on file)

1944 - Billboard (Feb.)

THE FINAL CURTAIN.

JENKS, Fred C., 73, former circus clown and vaude performer at his home in Saginaw, February 14. He retired 25 years ago. Born in Bay City, Mich., he ran away from home when a boy and teamed up with Harry Watson, Saginaw native, who later became one of the leading comedians of his day. The team of Watson and Jenks, comedy acrobatic dual, later became a trio., Bickle, Watson and Jenks, playing small teathers and on wagon show tours thru Michigan. The team toured with Matt Wilson's McConkey's and Andrews', and Stowe Bros.' Wild West shows. Jenks married Grace Burk in 1891, and formed the team of Burk and Jenks. They appeared with Sun Bros.' Circus and later on the Pantages and other vaude circuits. In 1910 they joined the Ringling Bros' circus, as a clown and equestrienne, respectively. They also trouped with the Barnum & Bailley and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses. Jenks produced his own Honey Bunch Ministrels at one time. Survived by his widow. Interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Saginaw, February 16.