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[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Virginia Theatre and New Virginia Theatre Playbills, 1914-1924, SC 0080, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
Purchased from Bookworm & Silverfish Book Dealers, Wytheville, Virginia in February 1995.
In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017.
The New Virginia Theatre was owned by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corporation, and opened sometime around the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It was originally built as an old opera house and was complete with a performance stage, balcony, and private box seats. During the early twentieth century, the New Virginia Theater hosted many different stage plays and musical acts. By the year 1950, the name was changed to the Virginia Theater and it was converted into a movie theater. The theater eventually fell into disrepair, and was closed around 1986 and later torn down. During its lifetime, the theater was one of the many favorite Harrisonburg attractions, and was enjoyed by both Harrisonburg residents and Madison College students alike.
The Virginia Theatre and New Virginia Theatre Playbills, 1914-1924, comprise nine playbills (one folder) of the Virginia Theatre and New Virginia Theatre in Harrisonburg, Virginia, 1914-1924 The largest size is 15" x 6". Each gives the title of the program (several specify vaudeville and minstrels), actors, and producers. Many of the playbills also include advertising by local establishments, especially W.E. Friddle's Restaurant. Most of the playbills are for plays that were performed by the theater. Two of the playbills are for concerts given by musical acts: The Lasses White All-Star Minstrels and John W. Vogel's Big City Minstrels.
Arranged chronologically.
Virginia Theatre Playbills, 1914-1952, SC 0366, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.