James O’Neill, father of playwright Eugene O’Neill, appeared at the Historic Elitch Theatre in 1897!
O’Neill opened at the theatre as the lead in Helene on May 30th, 1897, but this was not his first time at the Elitch’s Zoological Gardens (the original name of the park). In 1890 O’Neill, a friend of John Elitch, attended opening day of the Elitch’s Zoological Gardens and told John, “I’ll come back and put a play on that stage whenever you’re ready for me.” (Caroline Lawrence Dier, Lady of the Gardens, p. 22)
James O’Neill is best know for his portrayal of The Count Of Monte Cristo.
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1897
