Chestnut Street Opera House
1021-1029 Chestnut Street / Philadelphia
Seating capacity: 1656. Opened 1877 after fire destroyed original. (philadelphiabuldings.org)
"September 20. The new Chestnut Street Opera House, formerly Fox's American Theatre, rebuilt and refurnished,
opened for the first time, under the management of George K. Goodwin, with the drama of the Danicheffs."
(ushistory.org/philadelphia/timeline/1877)
1898: "October 4. The will of colonel Joseph M. Bennett, deposited with the Register of Wills, contained a bequest of the
Chestnut Street Opera House and adjoining properties, as well as three properties at Thirty-fourth and Walnut Streets, to the
University of Pennsylvania to aid in the co-education of women and girls. Colonel Bennett made a number of bequests to relatives
and friends, gave 2,000 each to five charitable institutions, and devised his large residuary estate to the Methodist Orphanage.
The will was contested by Imogene E. Bennett-Wellens, whom he refused to recognize as his daughter." (ushistory.org/philadelphia/timeline/1898)
"On Chestnut Street, west of Tenth, under the old Chestnut Street Opera House, was the saloon of "Billy" McGonegal, a
favorite tippling-place for the journalistic and sporting element." (ushistory.org/philadelphia/drinkingplaces.htm)
Following the success of the operetta A Waltz Dream (Ein Walzertraum) in Vienna, productions of the Oscar Straus
work were mounted for premieres at the Chestnut Street Opera House in Philadelphia on 6 January 1908. (Wikopedia)
(from Philadephiabuildings.org)
Programs available onsite from this theatre:
clippings from Charlotte Cushman Club scrapbook (1890s)
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