Donna in Fort Collins, CO at the Empress Theatre – November 20, 1919
Once again, I would like to thank the wonderful folks at the History Colorado Center. They were able to do a lookup for me that proves that the “Chin Chin” show was in Fort Collins on November 20th, 1919. So, I was able to backfill another date for Donna and the “Chin Chin” show during November 1919.
TO THE GENERAL PUBLICFOR THE FIRST TIME IN TEN OR MORE YEARS CHARLES DILLINGHAM OF THE NEW YORK HIPPODROME GLOBE THEATRE PRODUCER OF “JACK O’ LANTERN” WITH FRED STONE “THE CANARY”with JULIA SANDERSON and JOE CAWTHORN “HIP HIP HOORAY” “EVERYTHING” ETC., ETC., ETC. FAVORS OUR CITY AGAIN WITH ONE OF HIS RICH AND GIGANTIC PRODUCTiONS.
—–
IT IS THEREFORE WITH A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE AND IN FACT PRIDE THAT I ANNOUNCE THE COMING OF HIS GREATEST MUSICAL COMEDY SUCESS
“CHIN CHIN”
with WALTER WILLS and ROY BINDER IN THE LEAD A COMPANY OF 65 FORTY GIRLS 35 MEN BACK OF SCENESAND THE FAMOUS CLOWN SAXOPHONE BAND
![]() |
“Chin Chin” ad – Fort Collins Express – 20 Nov 1919 |
Empress Theatre
The Empress Theatre
![]() |
Empress Theater – late 1920s Courtesy: Fort Collins History Connection |
![]() |
10 years before Donna played, performers looked out at the, then Orpheum, audience. |
Today
The building appears to have been completely renovated. For many years it was a barbecue restaurant known as Nordy’s BBQ. Today it is Hodi’s Half Note.
Sources:
Fort Collins Express – November 16, 1919. Page 8, via History Colorado Center.
Fort Collins Express – November 18, 1919. Page 8, via History Colorado Center.
Fort Collins Express – November 20, 1919. Page 8, via History Colorado Center.
Building Colorado Story by Story: The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Collection.
Sanborn Insurance Maps Fort Collins March 1906 – No Theatre Present.