by TOWNES COATES
Between the world wars, The Players produced a number of short-run revivals in Broadway theatres. The seventh of these revivals was the late Restoration comedy The Beaux’ Stratagem by George Farquhar, with a new prologue by Player Edgar Lee Masters. The New York Times reported that it was the most financially successful to date, with a June week’s box office and souvenir program sales of $40,000 (nearly $700,000 in 2022 dollars.)
Three months later, this October, 1928 Bulletin reports that this staging will be going on the road for a major city tour. This production, a year before the Great Depression began, likely provided a helpful financial cushion to the club in challenging times.
Townes Coates is a producer and writer. He is Chair of the Managing Committee at The Players. Drop him a line here.