Topics in Kansas History: Community & Daily Life

Essay on Entertainment

Kansas towns, eager to imitate eastern cities, encouraged the construction of opera houses. In the late 19th century, many small opera and concert companies used these facilities as they toured the state. But the opera house also served as a general theater, and performances catered to a wide range of tastes. Popular acts included minstrel shows, operettas, variety shows, lectures, magic shows, medicine shows, and elocutionists.

Opera houses were generally multi-story buildings. The theater was on the second floor and a hotel, drugstore, or other business occupied the first floor.

The prominent Costa Opera House was purchased by Lester M. Crawford in 1880 and reopened under his name. Crawford was a renowned figure in Kansas theater at this time. At his peak, he owned and controlled opera houses from St. Louis to El Paso, Texas.

The Modoc Club, a male chorus, delighted their audience by presenting this Gilbert and Sullivan operetta on an actual boat.

Back to Topics in Kansas History: Community & Daily Life: Entertainment.