THE BLACK CROOK, Large One-fold Playbill type program, 10/07/93, Boston Theatre, Boston, MA.  The musical opened in NYC on 09/12/1866 and ran for 475 performances.  The show was revived in NYC in 1870 and 1871.  The cast includes S.E. Springer, John Page, Nestor Lennon, George K. Robinson, A.C. Deltwyn, Louis Odell, Russell Hunting, Edward Sanford, Henry Clare, John J. Geary, Frank McCare, Lida Dexter, Ethel Ormonde, Ella Craven, Clara Belle, Sadee MacDonald, Zole Tornaghi, Signor Salvaggi, M'lle Maveroffer and M'lle Ricci.  Written by Charles M. Barras.  Music composed and selected by Thomas Baker and Louis Baer.  Ballet music by M. Jacobi.  Directed by Lawrence McCarty and ballets by A. Bertrand.  

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 10 x 13 inches.  The program is complete.

This is NOT a reproduction!!

Note: This is a regular Playbill size program.

Condition is good with edge wear and missing small chips, some discoloration on the right edge and 3 horizontal folds.

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.