THE BLACK CROOK, Plastic laminated Large One-sheet Playbill type program, 1883, Haverly's Niblo's Garden Theatre, NYC.  The musical opened in NYC on 09/12/1866 and ran for 475 performances.  The show was revived in NYC in 1870 and 1871.  This is the NYC theatre where the original 1866 production opened.  The cast includes J.B. Roberts, D.H. Andrews, W.F. Wallis, George R. Edeson, Joseph F. Mason, Leonard Ruppel, W. Ronaldo, W. Smithlein, Fanny Barry, Mrs. Betrrill, Louisa Dempsey, Miss Leontine, Nellie Larkelle, Julia Fenton, Addie Hearne, Lizzie Brandt, Nellie Weston, Jennie Timmoney, Rosina Thomas, R. Leonordo, A.H. Denham, Charles Blesser, M. Franklin, Jacob Shene, W. Newman, J. Smith, M'lle Bazzano, M'lle De Ross, the Martens Family and the Herbert Brothers.  Written by Charles M. Barras.  Musical director, John C. Mullaly.  

I've dated this program 1883 because the back page contains an ad announcing the soon to be grand opening of the London & Liverpool Clothing Company at the corner of Grand Street and Broadway in the old Lord & Taylor building.  Lord & Taylor had the building built and moved in 1859 but moved north to a new store by 1870.  The building was then occupied by J.W. Goddard & Son in 1876, followed by L. Levenson & Co in 1879.  London & Liverpool Clothing Co moved in an opened in 1883.  

You'll find various sources among theatre scholars that used to claim and some still claim that The Black Crook was the first musical or that it was the prototype for the American musical.  But if one compares elements in The Black Crook to those in opera or operetta or burlesque, one will find that each of these genres has the same basic elements as The Black Crook.  No matter which side of the debate that you are on, The Black Crook holds an important place in musical theatre history and is considered one of the first long run shows.  The piece measures roughly 9 x 12 inches.  The program is complete.

This is NOT a reproduction!!

Note: This is a regular Playbill size program.

Condition shows that the program had some edge wear and partial separation at a horizontal center fold.

CONDITION:   I use a six-step condition scale to describe the overall paper quality:  Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.  Good means just that:  desireable for a collection with no immediate need to upgrade.  Excellent and Mint are usually reserved for publisher and music store remainders.  Expect Good-minus and Fair to have considerable wear.  All specific condition faults are noted after the general condition.

IMAGES:   I use a digital camera so the entire piece is visible.  

BILLING:    Please note:  The eBay automated end-of-auction notice is NOT my invoice.  I personally invoice 1-3 days after closing.   I combine multiple wins, add fair postage and handling, and insurance if necessary or at your request.  I ship in specially designed cardboard mailers.    Payment is expected promptly.  

International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.  Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.

THANKS for your interest and good luck with all your bidding!! 

MY BUSINESS:   I have access to over 150,000 song sheets and thousands of theatre Playbills, programs, heralds, window cards and souvenir programs, and have been doing this as my full-time job for 16 years.  I am available to help you with your collecting needs.  Let me know what you'd like to see me list on eBay.