The Merry Monarch (musical)

The Merry Monarch is an 1890 comic opera that debuted at the Broadway Theatre in New York City. It is an English adaptation of the L'étoile with a book by J. Cheever Goodwin and new music by Woolson Morse.[1][2]

The Merry Monarch
Marie Jansen in The Merry Monarch
Written byAdaptation of L'étoile by J. Cheever Goodwin, new music by Woolson Morse
Date premiered18 August 1890
Place premieredBroadway Theatre (41st Street)
Original languageEnglish
Francis Wilson as King Anso IV
Opening night bill, August 18, 1890

History

Presented by actor-manager Francis Wilson and his company, which also featured Marie Jansen, The Merry Monarch debuted on August 18, 1890, and ran for 49 performances, through October 4. Though this was not considered a long run for the time, the show was turning large profits, and crowds were being turned away from every performance. The New York Times reported on September 29 that the play was sure to gross at least $87,000 during the run, "the largest amount by many thousands ever taken at the theatre in the same period at regular prices."[3] But the theatre had other contractual engagements that prevented a longer run,[4] and it was announced that the production would return the following fall. The play immediately went on the road, also playing to packed houses.[5][6][7] The play returned after the long run of Wang concluded, and ran from October 5 through December 26, 1891, for 84 more performances. On the second run, a young Lulu Glaser served as the understudy for star Marie Jansen.[8] It may have run longer, but Wilson was anxious to bring out his next play The Lion Tamer, which immediately followed.

The stage manager for the production was Richard Barker, and costume designs were by Percy Anderson.[8][9] Scenery was by Homer Emmons, Henry E. Hoyt, and Plaisted, and the orchestra conducted by Signore A. De Novellis[10]

Another English adaptation of L'étoile played at London's Savoy Theatre, called The Lucky Star, with a score was rewritten by Ivan Caryll.[11]

Original Broadway cast
  • King Anso IV by Francis Wilson
  • Siroco, by Charles Plunkett
  • Herisson by Gilbert Clayton
  • Kedas by Harry MacDonough
  • Tapioca by Willet Seaman
  • High Chamberlain by M.F. Joslyn
  • Lilita by Laura Moore
  • Aloes by Nettie Lyford
  • Oasis by Cecile Essing
  • Idra by Belle Hartz
  • Lazuli by Marie Jansen
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References
  1. (14 July 1890). Notes, New York Amusement Gazette, p. 542
  2. Stubblebine, Donald J. Early Broadway Sheet Music, p. 154 (2002)
  3. (29 September 1890). "The Merry Monarch's" Reign, The New York Times
  4. (28 September 1890). "Notes of the Stage", The New York Times
  5. (6 October 1890). Theatrical Gossip, The New York Times (opened in Baltimore on October 6, 1890)
  6. (26 October 1890). The Chicago Playhouses, The New York Times (playing in Chicago in October 1890)
  7. (13 January 1891). Theatrical Gossip, The New York Times (reporting that run at the Chestnut Street Theatre started on December 22, 1890, and still going strong, and that the company next planned to go to Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and back to Chicago for two more weeks)
  8. Wilson, Francis. Recollections of a Player, pp. 65-73 (1897)
  9. (19 August 1890). "The Merry Monarch" (review), The New York Times
  10. (17 August 1890). Notes of the week, The New York Times
  11. Traubner R. Operetta, a theatrical history. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1983)
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