Parsons Theatre
Parsons Theatre, also given as Parsons' Theatre, was a theatre located in Hartford, Connecticut at 66 Prospect Street[1] at the interaction of Prospect St., Central Row, and American Row.[2] Construction began on the theatre in 1895 and it opened in 1896. It was a venue for plays and concerts until it closed in 1931 during the Great Depression. The theatre was demolished five years later.
History
[edit]Parsons Theatre' was designed by the architecture firm of J. B. McElfatrick & Sons and had a seating capacity of 1,817 people.[1] The theatre was named for its initial proprietor and manager, Herbert C. Parsons.[3] Parsons oversaw construction of the theatre which began in 1895.[4]
Parsons Theatre opened on April 1, 1896[2] with a performance of Woolson Morse and J. Cheever Goodwin's musical Dr. Synax that was given by DeWolf Hopper and his theatre troupe.[3] The theatre gained a reputation as "one of the best of the high-class theatres in the eastern states" and attracted the best New York productions when they toured and top entertainers.[4] The theatre was notably the last stop for the New York Philharmonic's 1910-1911 tour with conductor Gustav Mahler; concluding the tour with a concert on February 16, 1911.[4]
In 1915 the theatre was partially damaged by fire, and it closed for renovations until re-opening in October 1915. The Shubert family operated the theatre during much of the 1920s.[4] The theatre suffered financially during the Great Depression and it closed its doors in 1931. It was demolished in 1936.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Morrison, Andrew Craig (2005). "Parsons Theatre". Theaters. W. W. Norton & Company. p. 103. ISBN 9780393731088.
- ^ a b Faude, Wilson H. (1995). Hartford, Volume 2. Arcadia Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 9780738535371.
- ^ a b J. W. P. (April 1, 1916). 1896-1916:Parsons' Theatre, Twentieth Anniversary Historical Souvenir. Parsons' Theatre. p. 5-6.
- ^ a b c d Wagner, Mary H. (2006). Gustav Mahler and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra Tour America. Scarecrow Press. p. 220. ISBN 9780810857209.
- ^ Conard-Malley, Will (July 25, 2014). "Strictly a First Class Theater". Connecticut Public Radio.