Troja was a musical theatre performer in New York City in the 1890s and early 20th century. An 1894 advertisement commented that she was a serio-comic singer.[1] Other items described her as a singing comedienne who is clever,[2] and droll.[3]
Comic singer
editShe performed at the Central Opera House Music Hall,[4] Sixty-Seventh Street and Third Avenue (Manhattan-Bronx),[5] on the east side of Manhattan (New York), in April 1894.[4] The building was built in 1889 at a cost of $800,000. It was remodeled for an additional expense of $150,000 so that it seated 1,500 people.[5] A New York Times piece announcing Troja as the star on a bill at the same venue, in May, describes the entertainment as high-class vaudeville.[6]
At Koster & Bial's Music Hall,[1] 135 West 34th Street (Manhattan),[7] Troja was part of a variety show in June 1894. Other acts included Mlle. Naomi, equilibrist, Mlle. Lalo, female bicyclist, and the living pictures of Oscar Hammerstein.[1] In June 1895 she introduced six new songs as the main attraction of an American Theatre Roof Garden,[8] Bowery,[9] show. On stormy nights presentations were given in the theatre.[8]
The Bohemia Roof Garden stood opposite the Marlborough Hotel at Broadway (Manhattan) and 36th Street. Extensive renovations were required to be made to the building before it was opened to the public for performances on July 3, 1895. Owners, Levinson and Steinreich, secured some of New York's leading talent to entertain as well as a splendid orchestra. Troja joined Al Wilson, Sam Bernard, a great mirror dancer named Pepinta, Maud Raymond, Cushman and Holcomb, David Warfield, and Imro Fox among the varied bill offered by the theatrical venue.[10]
The Trocadero opened in March 1896 as a refurbishment of Koster & Bial's old place. Troja was engaged for the opening performance for which a new stage had been added along with new management. Mlle. Dumont, a chanteuse eccentrique, and Mignonette, a dancer, were among the other acts.[11]
She was with actor and violoncello player Auguste van Biene at Hammerstein's Olympia Music Hall,[12] Broadway between 44th Street and 45th Street,[13] in January 1897.[12] During the same month she took part in a benefit for Sam Weston, a blind minstrel, given at the Fifth Avenue (Manhattan) Theatre. Marie Dressler, Verona Jarbeau, and Bessie Bonehill also participated.[14] At the end of January Troja and Van Biene were at the Olympia Music Hall,[15] Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets,[13] with Little Egypt (dancer) and Minnie Renwood.[15]
The Pleasure Palace,[16] East 58th Street between Third Avenue (Manhattan) and Lexington Avenue (Manhattan),[17] was managed by F.F. Proctor. Troja was on a bill there in October 1897. Entertainment included singing, dancing, and acrobatics.[16]
Sam T. Jack's Theatre was a burlesque house on State Street (Chicago) and Madison Street (Chicago) in Chicago, Illinois.[18] Troja appeared there with Emma Carus and Jennie Yeamans in June 1898.[19]
References
edit- ^ a b c Notes of the Stage, New York Times, June 10, 1894, pg. 12.
- ^ Van Biene at Olympia, January 19, 1897, pg. 7.
- ^ Theatres and Music Halls, New York Times, January 26, 1897, pg. 7.
- ^ a b Notes Of The Stage, New York Times, April 22, 1894, pg. 13.
- ^ a b Now A Public Place Of Amusement, New York Times, Wednesday, April 23, 1894, pg. 5.
- ^ Notes Of The Stage, New York Times, May 6, 1894, pg. 12.
- ^ Cinema Treasures | Koster & Bial's Music Hall
- ^ a b The Theatrical Week, New York Times, June 9, 1895, pg. 13.
- ^ Painting the Town - Museum of the City of New York Archived 2006-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Notes Of The Stage, New York Times, June 30, 1895, pg. 11.
- ^ Turns At Other Music Halls, New York Times, March 1, 1896, pg. 10.
- ^ a b Theatrical Bills For This Week, New York Times, January 17, 1897, pg. 11.
- ^ a b Demolished Broadway Theatres: G to He
- ^ Theatrical Gossip, New York Times, January 28, 1897, pg. 7.
- ^ a b Display Ad 19--No Title, New York Times, January 31, 1897, pg. 11.
- ^ a b Theatres and Music Halls, New York Times, October 19, 1897, pg. 7.
- ^ Manager Proctor's New Theatre, New York Times, Wednesday, July 28, 1895, pg. 11.
- ^ Dancer History Archives - Historic Night Clubs - Index Pages: S
- ^ Notes Of The Week, New York Times, June 12, 1898, pg. 9.