Written by Baylie Hoffman (they/she)
Struthers Library Theatre was completed in 1883 through the generosity of Thomas Struthers, a public-minded citizen of Warren. That makes this year the 140th celebration of our historic theatre. Struthers Library Theatre is a legacy that strives to fulfill its mission statement: Entertaining, enriching and educating the people of Warren County and the surrounding region in all the qualities and delights of live theatre, music, dance and film.
Heading used in 1897.
In the theatre’s early days, it housed the public library, as well as rental spaces for private events. In 1883, the theatre opened with the opera “Iolanthe” for their first ever form of entertainment. Harry Kellar who was a predecessor of Harry Houdini, performed his act eight times between 1890 and 1906. Much of what is known of Kellar comes through Houdini, who conducted interviews with him near the end of his life. Harry Houdini later performing at our theatre in 1924, just two years before his death. Tickets to his show ranged from fifty-five cents to the highest cost of a whopping two dollars and twenty cents.
In the early 20th century, many influential actors and artists performed here, including Helena Modjeska, a famous Polish actress, Florence Reed, an American actress known for her roles in The Black Panther and Great Expectations and George Arliss, who went on to become a popular movie star. Arliss starred in The Man Who Played God, alongside the prominent Bette Davis, in her first lead role. Another significant name in our theatre history is, Francis Renault, one of the best-known female impersonators in Vaudeville—as we say today, drag queens! Renault performed up until his death in 1955, including many notable performances at Carnegie Hall. Throughout the mid 20th century, Struthers welcomed substantial names in music such as, Vincent Lopez, Eddy Duchin, and Duke Ellington. Ellington performed with his orchestra in 1954 and is known as one of the greatest jazz composers and bandleader of his time, composing thousands of beloved scores.
A night without entertainment was rare in those first three decades upon the completion of the theatre. After Vaudeville, an era of movies followed suit. Struthers was leased to two different movie house chains between 1930 and 1966. The Blatt Brothers operated movies from 1966 up until the last movie shown in 1980. At the last movie premiere only five patrons were in attendance. The year was 1981, and the time was ripe for theatre to presume its role as a performing arts facility. With founding of the Friends of the Library Theatre and its tremendous fundraising efforts, the grand re-opening on October 15, 1983, headlined the great jazz artist, George Shearing, classical pianist Eugene List, and opera singers of the Kiltie band. And after years of lull, this began the rebirth of Struthers Library Theatre.
