Everyman Theatre Building - An Immoral Past

  Congratulations are in order to the Everyman Theatre, founded in 1990, which opened doors in its new location at 315 West Fayette Street, downtown Baltimore.  Unlike the rather short theatrical history of its current occupant, the Beaux-Arts (French) style building has seen a bit more of a sorted past by previous ones.

  The building was contracted in Feb 1911 for construction as the Empire Theatre by Cramp & Co. of Philadelphia, PA with a planned mid August opening. Designed by Baltimore architect, Otto Simonson and William McElfatrick of New York as consulting architect, it was publicized to be completely fireproof with seating for 2,000, a basement beer hall, pool rooms, and a soda parlor.

Empire Theatre, circa 1915
(Postcard Courtesy: Theatre Talks LLC)

  According to Baltimore Sun newspaper accounts, two rather serious accidents delayed its construction: 1) in May, when a 92-foot crane snapped while lifting an eight-ton girder into place, taking with it an entire section of wall, resulting in two badly injured men, and 2) later in July, when a young Curtis Bay construction worker was severely injured from a misstep while walking on an iron beam 20 feet in the air.

  Despite these mishaps, the Empire Theatre had its first opening on Christmas day, 1911, as a burlesque venue - the opening show entitled "Follies of the Day."  While burlesque was a quite common public event of the day, apparently the Empire Theatre's original marquee sign (depicted partially in the early postcard photo, left) did not morally sit well with officers of an interesting group known as the "Society for the Suppression of Vice."

  According to a March 1912 Baltimore Sun article, the Empire's marquee consisted of a "shocking" figure of a "lady" having three electrical lit legs to give an alternating impression of a kicking movement.  A complaint was brought forward that eventually made it to the State Attorney's office for a decision which stated that "the highest of these [legs] protrudes out somewhat above the bottom of the skirt of the figure."  Eegads! The complaint was dropped given the Attorney determined it wasn't so improper and, most importantly, the "lady" couldn't be arrested for 'kicking.'

Everyman Theatre, circa 2012
(Photo Courtesy: WBJC.com)

  The Society was essentially non-existent by 1900, and neither burlesque or vaudeville hasn't been performed at this location since 1915.  The Everyman Theatre's marquee, being much less shocking, should stand the test of current day any morality police - either way, let's hope this venue will last for a very long time.

(Note: Article sources are courtesy of The Baltimore Sun.)