Category: Theatre

The Theater of New England

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"[A] prominent trait of his character -- to give the people what they want and demand. Mr. Bunnell's long training with P. T. Barnum has schooled him thoroughly in the art of amusement catering... This is the ninth year of his theatrical management in New Haven, and the years have been successions of triumphs. Mr. Bunnell... is fully equipped to supply the people with the amusements they want, for [he] so thoroughly understand[s] the wants of the New Haven public. The time will come, added Mr. Bunnell, when the Hyperion will be denominated 'The theater of New England.'"

New Haven Photographer David Ottenstein documents a disappearing era, by Michael Harvey

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"The demolition of the Hyperion Theater was the turning point in the work of New Haven photographer David Ottenstein. In 1998 the old downtown concert hall, which in its opulent days had showcased everything from the music of Charles Ives to the Floradora two-act comedy, was collapsing and due to be razed. Architect Richard Turlington… Continue reading New Haven Photographer David Ottenstein documents a disappearing era, by Michael Harvey

Spaghetti Palace Jester Entertains Patrons, by Dick Bothwell

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"Next time you're in the neighborhood of Big Bayou, stranger, drop in at Joe and Lee's - the Spaghetti Palace whose proprietor is also court jester without a care in the world. He keeps the customers happy with music, songs and laughter, this ex-vaudeville star whom a lady customer describes as 'a vivid little man.'… Continue reading Spaghetti Palace Jester Entertains Patrons, by Dick Bothwell

A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Mendelssohn’s Immortal Musical Setting

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"Since New Haven has been the city chosen for the first American production of Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' to Mendelssohn's immortal musical setting at the Hyperion Monday evening, November 16, by the Ben Greet players of London and the Russian Symphony Orchestra of New York, it behooves New Haven to sit up and take notice… Continue reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Mendelssohn’s Immortal Musical Setting

Williams and Walker in Bandanna Land at the Hyperion

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"The colored favorites Williams and Walker in their new show entitled, 'Bandanna Land,' will appear at the Hyperion Tuesday, April 28. Southern scenes and atmosphere. The colored man from overalls to tuxedo. Ragtime talk and music. Music that's classical yet with the colored flavor. The colored gentleman of high degree elegant and humorous. The old… Continue reading Williams and Walker in Bandanna Land at the Hyperion

The New Haven Grays Big Opera

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"The members of the company which are to present the Grays' opera, 'When Johnnie Comes Marching Home,' at the Hyperion beginning this evening held their last rehearsal at that theater last evening. In full costume, even down to the make-up, the gallant militiamen and their fair assistants went over and over the piece until the wee hours of morning."

Annette Kellerman and the Spectacle of the Female Form, by Peter Catapano

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"Early silent screen star, Annette Kellerman helped redefine gender norms in the United States by openly displaying her body as the feminine ideal of health and fitness. During the first two decades of the twentieth century, the Australian-born swimmer, vaudevillian, and film star achieved worldwide popularity for both her athletic prowess as a long-distance swimmer… Continue reading Annette Kellerman and the Spectacle of the Female Form, by Peter Catapano

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, by Morris Steinert

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"The committee that asked for my co-operation in bringing into life a new orchestra in New Haven appeared to me to be in earnest, and this encouraged me to once more indulge in one of my old passions, and the result was the organization, some six years ago, of the 'New Haven Symphony Orchestra,' a… Continue reading The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, by Morris Steinert

With the Help of a Few Extra Players and a Piano, by Charles Ives

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"The Hyperion Theater, located just across the Yale campus on Chapel Street, was another place where Ives found the freedom to try out some of his more adventuresome pieces. The Hyperion was the largest theater in the city, with twenty-five hundred seats, and it was a definite cut above Poli's vaudeville house in the shows… Continue reading With the Help of a Few Extra Players and a Piano, by Charles Ives

The Junior Prom. of the Class of 1883, by Frederick W. Rogers

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"Mr. Frederick W. Rogers, '83, the chairman of the Promenade Committee of the Class of '83, has written for the News the following interesting account of the Promenade of 1882: 'Junior Prom, at Yale a quarter century ago, probably aroused as much interest, enthusiasm and pleasurable anticipation in the undergraduate world as the more elaborate… Continue reading The Junior Prom. of the Class of 1883, by Frederick W. Rogers