Boston Theatre (1794-1852 and 1854-1925)

Boston, Mass. “inaugurated its theater history” with the Boston Theatre which later came to be known as the Federal Street Theatre. The first playhouse in Boston opened on February 3, 1794. In its beginning, the theatre’s star performers were Julia Dean and Edwin Forrest. Sadly the building burned down just four years later, but it was quickly rebuilt. The Federal Street Theatre was changed into a lecture hall named the “Odeon” in the year 1835. However, the building was reopened as a playhouse with its first name, The Boston Theatre, eleven years later. In the year of 1852 the Federal Street building was destroyed, and a new Boston Theatre was opened on Washington Street two years later. This new Boston Theatre was also the host of many opera and musical performances including Beethoven’s Fidelio. The Boston Theatre was dubbed “the finest theatre in the world” by the producer and playwright by the name of Dion Boucicault. The theatre held up to 3000 audience members, and was packed to that 3000 limit many knights. A number of noteworthy actors and actresses performed on that stage. Charlotte Cushman, Henry Irving, and Edwin Booth were just a few of the many.

http://www.bostonathenaeum.org/node/224