“Chin Chin” plays at the City Opera House, Frederick, Maryland, on 22 April 1920

We know that the Chin Chin company played in Cumberland, Maryland on April 20th.  We do not know if they played anywhere on the 21st.  But, on the 22nd they played a one-nighter at the City Opera House in Frederick, Maryland.

Preshow Advertising

I have not been successful in finding any articles about the show in the newspapers before the show. Standard advertising seems to have been used exclusively. First, there was a standard “To the General Public” announcement on April 16th, six days before the show. Then regular advertisements ran during the week.

There was a short article and photo about Walter Wills and Roy Binder which ran a couple days before the one-night engagement.  There were no post engagement reviews or stories regarding the show.

City Opera House

Frederick City Opera House

The Frederick City Opera House open in 1891 and was operated by the City of Frederick.[i]  According to the Cahn-Leighton Theatrical Guide of 1913, the Frederick City Opera House seated 1253 — 657 on the main floor, 272 in the balcony, 300 in the gallery and 24 in box seats.[ii] The stage was only 30×30. Shortly after “Chin Chin” played here, the theater was renovated with sound equipment in 1922.

The City Opera House closed in 1961. The stage, opera boxes, balcony, and orchestra pit were demolished; however, the façade of the building was left.

Today, the building is “Brewer’s Alley – Frederick County’s original Brewpub.” They have worked to preserve the elegance and glory of the old Opera House by faux decoration of some of the original ceiling panels and columns to mimic the original Italian Sienna marble.[iii] I definitely will stop and have a drink at Brewer’s Alley and see what they’ve done with the place the next time I drive through the area.

Brewers’ Alley – Old Frederick City Opera House Today

————- Disclaimer ————- 

Endnotes

[i] Internet – Cinema Treasures: City Opera House in Frederick, MD – https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/17170  – Accessed: 1/13/2017

[ii] The Cahn-Leighton Official Theatrical Guide 1913-1914. https://books.google.com/books?id=SBg7AQAAIAAJ&dq=editions%3Aou_zzJuUN5sC&pg=PA9#v=onepage&q&f=false

[iii] Internet – Brewer’s Alley: About Brewer’s – https://www.brewers-alley.com/about/ – Accessed: 1/13/2017.