by Laurel | September 22nd, 2009
September 21, 1894
A Big Crowd Sees the Handsome Theatre for the First Time — The Bostonians Give “Robin Hood.”
The Remodeled Holyoke Opera House.
The opening of the new Holyoke opera house could not have been more auspicious and successful than it was last evening. Every seat was taken, and only three or four boxes were empty. The Bostonians held the boards in “Robin Hood,” and it was one of their best efforts. The audience was pleased with the piece and company, and captivated with the house. Every part of the house was found ready for the play, and everything worked to satisfaction. The company praised the acoustic properties of the hose, and said it was perfect in every way. The architects promised that the addition of a gallery would be an improvement of the house in every way, and their plans have been well carried out. The audience was large and brilliant. William Whiting was there, of course, and had a large party with him in the double box that he has fitted up for himself. William Skinner and E. C. Taft had the lower boxes on the opposite side of the house and on the second tier was Cooper Ranger [ed. note: this was likely an error and intended to be Caspar Ranger] and family, and over Mr. Whiting’s box W. H. Brooks and family were located. Several large theatre parties had seats in the body of the house. One party was made up of Miss Kellogg and her guest, Miss Humphrey of Great Barrington, Miss Shumway, Miss Mackintosh, Miss Sears, Miss Shumway and Miss Ramage, and O. K. Sibley, H.J. Bardwell, Leonard Merrick, James Ramage, F. A. Woods and F. M. Street.
From The Springfield Republican.
[Note: the Opera House originally opened in 1877, this opening was a remodeling effort in 1894. The show “Robin Hood” was a musical witten by Reginald (Henry Louis) De Koven in 1891.]
