This is a rare January 24th, 1910 program (playbill) from the two-week, Post-Broadway engagement of the REGINALD DE KOVEN and JOSEPH W. HERBERT musical comedy "THE BEAUTY SPOT" at the Majestic Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. (The Original Broadway production opened April 10th, 1909 at the Herald Square Theatre in New York City and ran for 137 performances before going on the road.) ..... The musical starred JEFFERSON DE ANGELIS and the cast included ALF DE BALL, JACQUES KRUGER, GEORGE McFARLANE, FRANK DOANE, HARRY TEBBUTT, FRANCIS TYLER, MORGAN WILLIAMS, FRANK KELLEY, LARRY MAXWELL, STEPHEN SMITH, VIOLA GILLETTE, JEAN NEWCOMBE, MINERVA COVERDALE, LILLIAN LAWSON, ISABELL D' ARMOND, EVELYN WESTBROOK, BERTHA BLAKE, LORAINE TREADWAY, MARIE BAXTER, GRACE RUSSELL, NANCY PARKHURST, EVELYN CLAIRE, HAZEL VORIS, LILLIAN FRANCIS, BESSIE LAWLOR, CATHERINE BOWEN and FAY DARLING ..... Biographical note: Henry Louis Reginald De Koven (April 3rd, 1859 – January 16th, 1920) was an American music critic, conductor, and prolific composer, particularly of comic operas, who helped establish the style of American light opera. De Koven was born in Middletown, Connecticut, but in 1870, when Reginald was eleven, the family moved to England, where he received the majority of his education. He graduated from St. John’s College of Oxford University in England in 1879 and undertook various musical studies in Stuttgart, Germany. De Koven returned to the U.S. in 1882 to live in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked in a brokerage firm until his marriage to Anna Farwell, and later lived in New York City. In 1883, De Koven started a dry-goods business that became very successful. With the steady income, he was able to return to music. With his wide musical knowledge, he found his scope as a critic with Chicago’s "Evening Post", "Harper’s Weekly", and the "New York World". Between 1887 and 1913, De Koven composed twenty light operas, beginning with "The Begum" in1887 (libretto by Harry B. Smith), in addition to hundreds of songs (over 450), orchestral works, two piano sonatas, and ballets. In 1888 he again teamed with Smith to compose the opera "Don Quixote". From 1902 to 1904, De Koven conducted the Washington, D.C. Symphony, which he helped organize. De Koven’s greatest success was "Robin Hood", also with libretto by Harry B. Smith, which premiered at the Chicago Opera House on June 9th, 1890 but was performed all across the country. It played in New York at the Standard Theatre in 1891 and in London the same year, retitled "Maid Marian", and it continued to be revived for many years. Many of his songs became popular, especially “Oh Promise Me” from "Robin Hood", with words by Clement Scott, which was one of the biggest song successes of its time and remains a wedding standard. (Reprinted in part from the Walker Home School website) ..... CREDITS: Music composed by REGINALD DE KOVEN; Book by JOSEPH W. HERBERT; Orchestra conducted by CLARENCE WEST; Sets designed by H. ROBERT LAW and UNITT and WICKES; Choreographed by JULIAN ALFRED; Directed by FRANK SMITHSON; Produced by RAY COMSTOCK and MORRIS GEST ..... DETAILS: The 36 page program measures 5 1/4" X 7 3/4" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast photos or bios ..... CONDITION: (Please Note!) There are surface abrasions and paper residue on three of the corners of the back cover (last scanned image) and moderate edge wear. Despite these flaws, this rare program will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.