This is a rare November 13th, 1899 program (playbill) from the two-night engagement of JAMES O'NEILL in a repertoire of his greatest successes at the Great Southern Theatre in Columbus, Ohio ..... On Monday evening, November 13th, 1899, the company presented the JOSEPH HATTON drama "WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK". (The production toured the Northeast circuit in the winter of 1898-99, but failed to arrive in New York City.) ..... On Tuesday evenig, November 14th, 1899, the company presented the stage adaptation of ALEXANDRE DUMAS, Fils' romantic drama "MONTE CRISTO". (The Original Broadway production opened February 12th, 1883 at New York's Booth Theatre.) ..... Both plays starred JAMES O'NEILL and the cast of "Monte Cristo" included EDWARD L. BREEZE, MARK ELLSWORTH, FREDERICK HARTLEY, T. G. LINGHAM, W. J. DIXON, AUBREY BEATTIE, CLAUDE GILBERT, GEORGE PETERS, GEORGE WILLIAMS, FRANK MARTIN, GEORGE EDWARDS, M. RICHARDS, JOSEPH HAWKES, C. H. CAMERON, JAMES TRAVERS, FRED CARROLL, EDWARD RANKIN, JOHN DOBBINS, FRANK DEAN, EDWARD LANE, Miss KATE FLETCHER, Miss LOUISE COLLINS, Miss MARIE LLOYD, Miss MARGARET OWEN and Miss ELIZABETH BAKER ..... Side note: As early as 1875, while a stock star at Hooley's Theatre in Chicago, James O'Neill played the title role in the stage adaptation of Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo. In early February of 1883 O'Neill took over the lead role in Monte Cristo at Booth's Theater in New York, after CHARLES R. TOWNE died suddenly in the wings after his first performance. O'Neill's interpretation of the part caused a sensation with the theater-going public. A company was immediately set up to take the play on tour and O'Neill bought the rights to the play. Monte Cristo remained a popular favorite and O'Neill went on to play the role more than 6000 times. His son EUGENE O'NEILL, the future award-winning playwright was born in New York City on October 16th, 1888 ..... CREDITS: (Monte Cristo) Book adapted from the 1844 novel by ALEXANDRE DUMAS, Fils; Orchestra conducted by H. G. SIMPSON; Produced and Directed by WILLIAM F. CONNOR ..... DETAILS: The sixteen page program measures 8 3/4" X 9" inches and includes production credits, cast lists, synopsis of scenes, musical program and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast photos or bios ..... CONDITION: (Please Note!) There is a small puncture near the seam, a vertical fold and moderate edge wear. Despite these flaws, this rare program will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.