A parking lot now stands on part of the
site of the Lyceum Theatre, a popular venue for touring plays and
pre-Broadway tryouts, which opened on April 7, 1890. Companies used the
Lyceum to rehearse and polish new productions before appearing in larger
cities. While in New London the theater companies stayed at the Crocker
House.
|
Playbill
for James O誰eill痴 The Musketeers
at the Lyceum Theatre, January 30, 1900 |
Lyceum
Theatre |
Companies headed by James O誰eill,
William Gillette, David Belasco, and other theater luminaries made the
Lyceum a part of their New England tours. The Lyceum often opened its
season with James O誰eill in The Count of Monte Cristo or
another play in his company痴 repertoire. James O誰eill generously
provided his youngest son with tickets so that he and his friends were
able to see most of the productions that came to New London. The Lyceum
presented both vaudeville and drama. These productions probably provided
Eugene O誰eill with some of his earliest theater experiences.
By 1937 the Lyceum was vacant, and in
the mid-1950s it was torn down to make way for an addition to the
Baptist Church on Huntington Street.
|
