Marking 266 Years of Live Theatre in Albany

Written by Bennett Liebman, boardmember at theREP

The year 2026 marks a major transition in the history of live theatre in Albany. It is the first year without Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, whose remarkable 30-year tenure at Capital Repertory Theatre ended in 2025. It also marks Miriam Weisfeld’s first full year as theREP’s artistic director.

Perhaps more significantly, 2026 marks the 266th year of live theatre in Albany. That is an extraordinary accomplishment, because presenting live theatre in the city has never been easy. It has been a constant struggle. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, theatre had to overcome religious objections. Fires destroyed many of Albany’s theatres in the 19th century. Even in the 20th century, the Leland Theatre was significantly damaged by fire, and Harmanus Bleecker Hall was destroyed by one.

The theatre business has always been cyclical, and a single bad year can easily put a company out of business. That happened repeatedly in Albany throughout the 19th century. The first half of the 20th century was even more difficult, as live theatre had to compete with vaudeville, burlesque, and the establishment of numerous luxurious movie theatres in downtown Albany. After World War II, theatre had to contend with television and suburbanization.

Nearly all of Albany’s theatres, even in the 19th century, were located within a block or two of Pearl Street. The one major exception was Harmanus Bleecker Hall, which stood on Washington Avenue at the present site of the Albany Public Library. As downtown Albany deteriorated as a major commercial hub, its theatres suffered as well.

It should come as no surprise that Albany was a virtual desert for live theatre from 1940 to 1980. Major productions and stars stopped coming to the city. The construction of The Egg and the establishment of theREP helped bring live theatre back to Albany.

Despite the financial struggles of Albany’s theatres, history was repeatedly made on their stages. In 1880, it was said that “scarcely an actor of any prominence has appeared in this country, who has not visited Albany.” This was even more true between 1880 and World War I. Every major theatre star of that era came to Albany. Ethel Barrymore, Sarah Bernhardt, Lillian Russell, Al Jolson, George M. Cohan, Edwin Booth, and Maude Adams all performed here. Even stars of the Yiddish theatre came to Albany. Only the advent of motion pictures ended the city’s era of theatrical eminence.

Two events in Albany are particularly significant in the broader history of American theatre. In 1825, Albany was the only place where arguably the two greatest English-speaking actors of the first half of the 19th century performed together. The older English actor Edmund Kean and the younger American star Edwin Forrest appeared in “Richard III,” “Othello,” and other plays. Rarely has there been such firepower on one stage, and it happened in Albany.

Theatre history was also made in Albany on June 7, 1861. On that day, the 25-year-old Adah Isaacs Menken made herself an international celebrity. As the star of “Mazeppa,” Menken wore only flesh-colored tights while tied to a running horse onstage. Her performance, essentially the first quasi-nude performance on an American stage, created a sensation not only in Albany but throughout the United States, England, and France.

Menken became known as “The Menken,” and Mark Twain called her “The Great Bare.” She died at age 33, but, as one of her biographers wrote, “Menken was the original superstar, both notorious and serious. She revolutionized show business with a modern flair for action, scandal and unpopular causes.” And she did it in Albany. The 1960 film “Heller in Pink Tights,” starring Sophia Loren, was loosely based on Menken’s career.

Albany theatre also intersected with American history in 1861, the year John Wilkes Booth made two appearances in the city. Booth, whose volatility made him the Nicol Williamson cubed of the 19th century, first appeared in Albany on Feb. 12. During a typically emotional performance, he fell on his dagger and seriously injured his right armpit. He returned to the stage Feb. 18, the day President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrived in Albany on his way to his inauguration.

Booth returned to Albany in April 1861, when he was stabbed by his co-star Henrietta Irving. After stabbing Booth in the face, Irving stabbed herself. Apparently, neither was seriously injured, and no one was charged.

Albany was also featured in a major musical-theatre song when Al Jolson sang “Why Do They All Take the Night Boat to Albany?” in the 1915 musical “Robinson Crusoe Jr.” Soon afterward, a musical about the Albany night boat, “The Night Boat,” played on Broadway. It had a respectable run of 313 performances in 1920, exceeding the 191 performances of the 1923 musical “Helen of Troy, New York.”

Given the roller-coaster nature of the theatre business, it is remarkable that live theatre has persisted in Albany. One hundred years ago, Albany artist David C. Lithgow declared, “Nothing but the movies are left…The play is dead in Albany.” In 2026, theREP has proven Lithgow wrong. Theatre is alive — and back on Pearl Street.

Here are 75 major events in Albany’s 266-year history of live theatre.

Timeline

1. 1760: A regiment of English soldiers stationed in Albany performs “The Beaux’ Stratagem” in a barn converted into a theatre. The pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church protests vigorously but unsuccessfully against the performance.
2. July 3, 1769: The Hallam Company — the first professional theatre company to perform in Albany — presents “Venice Preserved.” The colonial governor allows the company to perform in Albany for one month.
3. Dec. 1785: A touring group of comedians receives permission to perform in Albany. The players survive a petition seeking to shut down their productions, with the Albany Common Council voting 9-4 to allow the performances to continue. They present “Cross Purposes” and “The Taming of the Shrew” and remain in Albany until February 1786.
4. July 24, 1806: Dramatic readings are offered at the Thespian Hotel.
5. April 5, 1811: John Howard Payne, author of “Home! Sweet Home!,” stars as Octavian in “The Mountaineers.” During his time in Albany, Payne also plays Hamlet in what was likely the first production of “Hamlet” in the city.
6. Jan. 18, 1813: The Green Street Theatre, Albany’s first dedicated theatre, opens with “The West Indian” and “Fortune’s Frolic.” It opens despite petitions from thousands of people who object to the alleged immorality of theatre.
7. May 18, 1825: The Pearl Street Theatre opens with “Laugh When You Can” and “Raising the Wind.” In subsequent years, the site is home to the Academy of Music, Trimble Opera House, and Leland Opera House.
8. Dec. 5, 1825: Edmund Kean and Edwin Forrest appear together in “Richard III,” with Kean playing Richard and Forrest playing Richmond. They also appear together in other plays during their engagement at the Green Street Theatre.
9. May 16, 1826: Junius Brutus Booth, father of John Wilkes Booth, Edwin Booth, and Junius Brutus Booth Jr., stars in “Richard III” at the New Theatre.
10. May 26, 1828: The first American play based on Rip Van Winkle is performed in Albany. Its author is unknown.
11. Aug. 1848: Junius Brutus Booth appears at Meech’s Albany Museum in several Shakespearean roles.
12. March 30, 1859: The Gayety Theatre opens on Green Street.
13. Sept. 21, 1860: Adah Isaacs Menken stars in “The Soldier’s Daughter.”
14. Feb. 12, 1861: While performing in “The Apostate” at the Gayety Theatre, John Wilkes Booth falls on his dagger and seriously injures his right armpit.
15. Feb. 18, 1861: Booth returns in “The Apostate,” performing with only his left arm. Meanwhile, President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrives in Albany on his way to Washington, D.C., for his inauguration.
16. March 16, 1861: Booth concludes his Albany engagement after starring in 13 productions.
17. April 26, 1861: During his second Albany engagement of the year, Booth is stabbed in the face by his co-star Henrietta Irving, who then stabs herself. Neither suffers major injuries, and no one is charged. According to one newspaper account, Booth had “trifled with her affections.”
18. June 7, 1861: Adah Isaacs Menken performs in “Mazeppa” at the Green Street Theatre. Tied to a horse and wearing only flesh-colored tights, she creates an international sensation.
19. Sept. 14, 1863: In his first Albany appearance, Edwin Booth stars in “Hamlet.”
20. Dec. 22, 1863: The Academy of Music opens with “The Lady of Lyons.”
21. Jan. 29, 1868: The Academy of Music is destroyed by fire.
22. Oct. 4, 1869: The Division Street Theatre, also known as the Division Street Academy of Music, opens with “Love’s Sacrifice.” The theatre is destroyed by fire in 1876.
23. Dec. 20, 1869: Joseph Kline Emmet, famed for originating German-dialect comedy on the stage, performs in “Fritz” at the Division Street Academy of Music.
24. April 22, 1873: Joseph Jefferson stars in “Rip Van Winkle” at the Martin Opera House.
25. April 14-15, 1882: Edwin Booth performs “Richelieu,” “Othello,” and “Hamlet” at the Leland Opera House.
26. Dec. 28, 1883: The Academy of Music opens. The building later becomes the Trimble Opera House, Leland Opera House, and Leland Theatre. The site was originally developed as the South Pearl Street Theatre in 1825.
27. Oct. 21, 1885: Lillian Russell stars in the comic opera “Polly” at the Leland.
28. Oct. 9, 1889: Harmanus Bleecker Hall opens on Washington Avenue.. With 1,985 seats, it becomes the largest theatre in the Capital District.
29. March 1, 1898: Mrs. Fiske stars in “Tess of the D’Urbervilles” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
30. Sept. 12, 1898: The Empire Theatre at 102 State Street opens with Maude Adams in “The Little Minister.”
31. Dec. 17, 1898: James O’Neill, father of playwright Eugene O’Neill, stars as Edmond Dantes in “Monte Cristo” at the Empire Theatre.
32. March 8, 1905: Ethel Barrymore stars in “Sunday” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
33. Feb. 5, 1906: Sarah Bernhardt stars in “Camille” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
34. Nov. 4, 1907: George M. Cohan stars in his musical “Fifty Miles from Boston” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
35. April 23, 1908: Sara Adler, mother of Stella and Luther Adler, performs Yiddish opera at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
36. May 22, 1908: Anna Held stars in the musical “A Parisian Model” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
37. May 23, 1908: Ethel Barrymore stars in “Her Sister” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
38. May 1, 1913: Proctor’s Grand Theatre opens with the operetta “The Rose Maid.”
39. April 16, 1915: Willie and Eugene Howard, along with Texas Guinan, star in “The Whirl of the World” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
40. April 22, 1915: Marilyn Miller stars in “The Passing Show of 1914” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
41. Oct. 12, 1915: May Irwin stars in “33 Washington Square” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
42. Oct. 18, 1915: “Hobson’s Choice,” starring Mollie Pearson, plays at Harmanus Bleecker Hall before its Broadway run.
43. Nov. 10, 1915: The Jerome Kern musical “Very Good Eddie” plays at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
44. Nov. 3, 1916: Sarah Bernhardt stars in “The Death of Cleopatra” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
45. Dec. 15, 1916: Al Jolson stars in “Robinson Crusoe Jr.” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall. The show features the hit song “Why Do They All Take the Night Boat to Albany?”
46. April 21, 1918: Yiddish tragedian Jacob Adler stars in “The World Aflame” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
47. Feb. 26, 1923: Mrs. Fiske stars in “The Dice of the Gods” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
48. Oct. 1, 1923: The Capitol Theatre opens with Sigmund Romberg’s operetta “Blossom Time.” Governor Al Smith gives the opening address and pushes a button to begin the show. Radio station WGY broadcasts the full program.
49. Oct. 15-20, 1923: Al Jolson stars in the musical “Bombo” at the Capitol Theatre.
50. Oct. 10, 1930: Eleanor Roosevelt hosts a tea at the Executive Mansion for subscribers to the Capitol Theatre’s upcoming season and members of the company.
51. Jan. 2, 1933: George M. Cohan brings the comedy “Pigeons and People” to the Capitol Theatre during its pre-Broadway run.
52. April 1, 1940: Tallulah Bankhead stars in “The Little Foxes” at Harmanus Bleecker Hall.
53. May 19, 1940: Harmanus Bleecker Hall is destroyed by fire.
54. March 6, 1949: The Leland Theatre is heavily damaged by fire.
55. April 8, 1965: The Leland Theatre closes permanently, ending 140 years of theatrical use at 43 South Pearl Street.
56. June 7, 1974: Governor Malcolm Wilson signs legislation creating the Empire State Youth Theatre Institute, to be located in the meeting center at the Empire State Plaza.
57. May 26, 1978: The first performance at The Egg is “Peter Pan,” produced by the Empire State Youth Theatre Institute. Governor Hugh Carey announces, “This resolves for all time the historical conundrum of which came first – the chicken or the egg. No pullet could give us an egg this size.”
58. July 13, 1979: Governor Hugh Carey signs legislation creating the Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation. The legislative findings state that the performing arts center, located in the capital, “should symbolize the preeminence of the performing arts in New York State and be a visible commitment of the state to pioneering and supporting the maintenance and development of the arts.”
59. 1981: Bruce Bouchard and Peter Clough establish Capital Repertory Company in Albany. The two had formed Lexington Conservatory Theatre in 1976. With help from the City of Albany, they establish the Market Theatre in the former Grand Cash Market at 111 North Pearl Street. The company’s first production is Alan Ayckbourn’s “Table Manners.”
60. Sept. 22, 1982: The Empire State Institute for the Performing Arts presents “The All-Time Good-Time Knickerbocker Follies” at The Egg. The production stars Jack Gilford, Larry Kert, and Lynnie Godfrey.
61. Nov. 9, 1983: Tony Lo Bianco stars in the one-man show “Hizzoner! — The Mayor” at The Egg. PBS records the production and broadcasts it in late 1984.
62. Jan. 4, 1986: Toni Morrison’s “Dreaming Emmett” opens at theREP.
63. August 1989: Capital Repertory Company and Jujamcyn Theaters conduct a workshop production of the future Tony Award-winning musical “The Secret Garden.”
64. April 13, 1995: Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill is announced as the new artistic director of Capital Repertory Company. Bruce Bouchard departs after 14 years as artistic director and 83 productions.
65. May 1996: William Kennedy’s “Grand View” premieres at theREP.
66. Nov. 1996: M*A*S*H star Larry Linville plays Lady Bracknell in “The Importance of Being Earnest” at theREP.
67. 1998: Capital Repertory Company becomes Capital Repertory Theatre, and the Market Theatre is renamed Capital Repertory Theatre.
68. Sept. 24, 2003: Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill’s adaptation of Christopher Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus” premieres at theREP.
69. Sept. 10, 2010: Tony Award nominees Barbara Walsh and Bob Stillman star in “33 Variations” at theREP.
70. July 19, 2011: Tony Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams stars in “Uptown Downtown” at theREP.
71. April 9, 2019: “Shakespeare in Love,” featuring a cast of 24, opens at theREP.
72. March 12, 2020: theREP gives its final performance at 111 North Pearl Street when the COVID-19 pandemic ends the run of “The Irish and How They Got That Way.”
73. Aug. 24, 2021: After 40 years at 111 North Pearl Street, Capital Repertory Theatre, under the leadership of Proctors CEO Phillip Morris and Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, moves three blocks to a newly constructed theatre at 251 North Pearl Street. Apart from The Egg at the Empire State Plaza, it is Albany’s first newly constructed live theatre since the Capitol Theatre opened on Chapel Street in 1923. theREP holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of its new $14 million, 309-seat theatre, followed by a performance of “Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”
74. Jan. 2025: Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill announces that she will step down as theREP’s producing artistic director later in the year. During her 30-year tenure, she directed more than 125 productions, workshops, and readings; directed at least two plays or musicals each season; and created plays for the On-the-Go Touring Productions, which serves 14 counties in upstate New York and reaches more than 15,000 students annually.
75. Sept. 26, 2025: Sarah Ruhl’s “Becky Nurse of Salem” opens at theREP. It is the first play produced under the aegis of incoming artistic director Miriam Weisfeld.