Guide to the Records of Pittsburgh Theaters: Nixon, Alvin and Pitt, 1906-1972 (bulk 1919-1929)

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Records of Pittsburgh Theaters: Nixon, Alvin and Pitt
Creator
Staniland, Julie L.
Collection Number
MSS#258
Extent
1.25 cubic feet (3 boxes)
Date
1906-1972
Date
1919-1929
Abstract
The Nixon, Alvin, and Pitt Theaters were cultural landmarks in Pittsburgh for many years. These records consist primarily of programs as well as newspaper articles and reviews, issues of The Playgoer magazine, a souvenir menu from the Nixon Restaurant, and programs from the Duquesne, Mansfield, and Hammerstein's Theaters.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
This guide to the collection was originally prepared by Julie Deihl on January 30, 1997. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in Summer, 2001.
Sponsor
This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

Historical Sketch of the Pittsburgh Theaters

"The Nixon"

December 7, 1903 marked the opening of a new playhouse at 417-425 Sixth Avenue by Samuel F. Nixon-Nirdlinger (1848-1918). He had named the Nixon Theater "the world's perfect playhouse." Benjamin H. Marshall of Chicago designed this beautiful building, which was constructed in the French beaux-arts style with a domed, ornamented exterior and an elegant Louis XV style interior of ivory, gold and crimson. On opening night 2200 people filled the theater to watch "Erminie." Every week brought a different touring company to the Nixon and included stars such as Katherine Hepburn, Leslie Howard and Minnie Mae West. Over the years the Nixon Theater earned its reputation as being one of Pittsburgh's finest theaters. In fact, it was considered by many to be the "carriage trade" theater of Pittsburgh.

In 1950, this theater had to be moved to Liberty Avenue in order to make way for the Alcoa Building. While the name was transferred to an old vaudeville and movie house, the elegance and glory of the old Nixon Theater remained behind. On April 30, 1950 people crowded this old theater to watch its final performance. The end of the Nixon Theater was also the end of another tradition for frequent playgoers, the Nixon Restaurant, which had been around almost as long as the Nixon Theater. It was a popular place to dine before a show at the Nixon as well as the Pitt and the Alvin Theaters.

For 26 more years the Nixon Theater continued on successfully. This smaller (1760 seats) and less elegant building still attracted Pittsburghers to attend its fine performances. Unfortunately, in 1974 the Nixon Theater closed its doors as a result of financial reasons. After cleaning and painting it decided to try one more time. In 1975 it reopened for a four-month season of touring shows and rock concerts, but this proved to be an unprofitable run. The building was demolished in July 1976 to make way for a parking lot.

"The Alvin"

Charles Lindsey built The Alvin Theatre, commonly referred to as "The Alvin", in 1891. It was named for Alvin Joslin, a character that Davis had played successfully in the 1880s. This 2200 seat elaborate theater was located at 115 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh.

The interior was in the lush late Victorian style decorated in colors of light ivory, silver and gold toned with a delicate pink. There was also a large dome with an incredible painting of seven allegorical figures. The Alvin Theater was operated by the Harry Davis Enterprising Company with feature productions of the Shuberts beginning in 1919. Thus, for a while, it became known as the Shubert-Alvin Theater.

In 1931 Davis Enterprises was bought by the Stanley Corporation and the playhouse was converted into a motion picture theater in 1932. It was redecorated in the Modernistic Style. The roof collapsed in 1940, but the house was rehabilitated and reopened as the J.P. Harris Theater and later known as the Gateway.

"The Pitt Theater"

The Pitt Theater was built in 1912 at 635 Penn Avenue as the New Kenyon Opera House. Then it became the Penn Avenue Theater, later the Pitt, next the Miles, then back to Pitt, and finally the Barry Theater. However, it was when it was the Pitt Theater that it became nationally known among those in the theater business. After a 1913 flood, William Moore Patch changed the name to the Pitt and organized a stock company, which lasted for only 18 months. In 1919, the Shuberts acquired an interest and added their name to the theater, making it the Shubert-Pitt Theater. The same gentleman at the Shubert-Alvin, John B. Reynolds, also managed this theatre. The Pitt Theater enjoyed tremendous prosperity, as it was the place for many notable actors and actresses. The Barry Theater was the last name given to the Pitt before it was torn down and made into a parking lot in c1950.

Scope and Content Notes

These records consist primarily of programs as well as newspaper articles and reviews, issues of The Playgoer magazine, a souvenir menu from the Nixon Restaurant, and programs from the Duquesne, Mansfield, and Hammerstein's Theaters.

There are programs from the three theaters mentioned above with the bulk of them from 1919-1929. There are also several programs for the Nixon Theater ranging from 1906-1972. These indicate that weekly plays were performed at these theaters by the stars of the day. The number of advertisements within the programs reveals that they got such companies as Heinz, Hornes, and Dodge to sponsor their productions. In addition to the weekly programs there is an assortment of individual pamphlets promoting a particular show. The Playgoer magazine, established in 1915, is a publication of all of Pittsburgh leading theaters that were playing stage attractions. Published weekly, it includes upcoming plays, articles, editorials, and advertisements. The Nixon Theater's final performance in 1950 was also the end of the Nixon Restaurant, therefore, a souvenir menu was given to each playgoer.

Each show that was performed at any of the three theaters received several reviews in the local newspapers. Consequently, there is a large amount of articles collected. Reading these reviews reveals which shows were most popular and the type of plays that attracted audiences during this 70-year time frame.

Arrangement

The Pittsburgh Theaters (Nixon, Alvin, and Pitt) Records are housed in three archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were received in two accessions and were combined into one body of records in 1997.

Acc# 1977.0030; 1995.0250x Gift of Mrs. Julie L. Staniland, (Programs, 1930-1972 and souvenir menu, 1950)

Preferred Citation

Records of Pittsburgh Theaters: Nixon, Alvin and Pitt, 1906-1972 (1919-1929), MSS #258, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Julie Diehl on January 30, 1997.

Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Doug MacGregor on July 6, 2001.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Barry Theater
    • Gateway Theater
    • Harris Theater
    • New Kenyon Opera House
    • Davis, Harry Enterprising Company, Pittsburgh (Pa.)
    • The Nixon Theater
    • The Alvin Theater
    • The Pitt Theater

    Personal Names

    • Brown, Harry.
    • Davis, Charles Lindsey
    • Marshall, Benjamin H., Chicago (Illinois)
    • Nirdlinger-Nixon, Samuel F.

    Other Subjects

    • Playbills -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Playhouses -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Theater -- Research -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Theater -- Reviews -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Theater -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List

The PlaygoerMagazine, 1929-1972
Containers
Box 1, Folder 8
Alvin/Pitt/Nixon Newspaper, 1919-1972
Containers
Box 3, Folder 1
Articles and Reviews
Containers
Box 3, Folder 2
Experience, the play, 1914
Containers
Box 3, Folder 3
Nixon Restaurant Souvenir Menu, 1950
Containers
Box 3, Folder 4
Duquesne/ Mansfield/ Hammerstein's Programs
Containers
Box 3, Folder 5