ST. LOUIS DRAMATIC CIRCLE FORMED 1885
PLAYS "THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN" TONIGHT AT THE TECK THEATER
DIRECTED BY OTTO F. ANDRLE.
By Johnny Oldboy.
The production this evening of the popular Ade comedy, "The County Chairman," at the Teck Theater, by talented members of the St. Louis Dramatic Circle, composed of well known young people connected with St. Louis R.C. church, is an event of more than ordinary interest, for the excellent organization of amateur theatrical interpreters, marks the 44th year of the existence of the circle.
At the time the circle was organized several of the charter members asked me to join with them, but not having the theatrical complex, I declined, nevertheless, I was always keenly interested in the ambitious efforts of the youthful amateur actors and actresses, and with others I was amazed at their many successes.
Organized in 1885.
In June, 1885, they met and decided to form the St. Louis Dramatic Circle, mainly for the purpose of raising funds to assist in the reconstruction of the fine old church edifice destroyed by fire on the night of March 25, that year. And thus the circle was formed, with these officers:
President, Otto F. Andrle; vice-president, Edward F. Mischka; secretary, Charles M. Weyand; treasurer, Adolph Zeller; Otto F. Andrle, Adam Dory, Albert Zahm, Alois P. Andrle, Albert Rose, Fred A. Zorn, Chas. Deck, E.J. White, Ed. J. Mischka, Wm. J. Schreck, J.C. Hasenzahl, J.L. Wex, L.J. Roth, Chas. Biesinger, Chas. M. Weyand, Adolph Zeller.
Play Rip Van Winkle.
That the members of the circle did not suffer from any such thing as a theatrical inferiority complex is demonstrated by the fact that the two young men selected to choose the first play to be produced, Messrs. Andrle and Mischka, selected the fine old classic comedy, "Rip Van Winkle," for their debut.
Mr. Mischka, now the sole survivor of the great and popular musical family of Mischka -- Joseph, Carl, August, Emily and Edward -- in his youthful days was noted for his clever imitation of the renowned musical comedian, Joseph K. Emmet, in "Fritz," and when the beloved Emmet died Mr. Mischka was eagerly besought by many competent critics to take the place of Emmet, but he steadfastly resisted all importunities to enter upon a professional career on the stage. For 46 or more years he has been an executive with the Buffalo Creek Railroad, our principal terminal route, and he is today the popular and efficient agent for the oldtime corporation and now residing in Bedford Avenue.
Mr. Mischka was noted for his singing of Emmet's famous songs, especially the lullaby and "The Shamrock," and as a yodler many of his admirers will tell you, and so will I, thathe excelled Emmet in many respects. So, in view of his talent as musician, singer and actor, it was considered the thing to produce "Rip Van Winkle," with Mr. Mischka in the title role. The entire cast was as follows:
Rip Van Winkle..................................Ed. F. Mischka
Knickerbocker.......................................C. W. Deck
Derric Van Slaus.....................................Adam Dory
Herman Van Slaus...............................J. C. Hasenzahl
Nicholas Vedder................................Chas. M. Weyand
Clausen............................................E. J. White
Rory Van Clump......................................F. A. Zorn
Dame Van Winkle..............................Mrs. Emily O'Neil
Lorenna.....................................Miss Emma Phillips
Alice.........................................Miss Mila Andrle
Hendricks......................................Alois P. Andrle
Swaggrino..........................................John L. Wex
Ganderkin.......................................Edward F. Doll
Icken..........................................Chas. Biesinger
Andrle and Mischka.
Otto Andrle, one of the city's most talented and successful artists, supervised the scenic display, selected the costumes and provided a very adequate setting for the somewhat elaborate first performance, on the evening of September 13, 1885.
Truly, it was a worthy production and the principals, aye even the humble roles assigned to the sprites, hobgoblins, villagers, etc., acted their various parts exceedingly well. But Mr. Mischka's impersonation of the rollicking and ne'er do well, Rip was mighty clever and his later study of the ragged, whitehaired and tottering old Rip descending from his mountain abode after his sleep of 20 years, was acclaimed by competent critics as a great achievement, and nearly approaching the performance of the gifted Jefferson in that immortal role. The performance was repeated the following night and many of the most skeptical were forced to admit that the pretentious first performance of the members of the circle was creditable alike to the circle, the church and the city.
The circle presented "Joseph in Egypt," "Paul Pry" and a number of lesser pieces with great success and then it was determined to make another very pretentious production -- "Hamlet" no less.
It was about that time that Edwin Booth had played "Hamlet" here prior to his retirement from the stage, and several others had essayed the same role, notably Miss Anna Dickinson, well-known as a public lecturer. Miss Dickinson appeared as "Hamlet" at an afternoon performance at the old Academy of Music, and the audience was small, for she had been bitterly assailed by intolerant women and others for daring to appear in a masculine role. I said then and I say now that Miss Dickinson was truly great and brilliant in the role of "Hamlet." I was utterly disgusted to view the small audience gradually diminish, as one by one the audience dwindled, even the noted dramatic editor, Thomas Kean, leaving long before the finale. But, with hardly more than a dozen others, I viewed the last tragic moments of the sanguinary last act, and I still declare that Anna Dickinson was an ideal "Hamlet," and that her performance was a great intellectual and artistic triumph.
There was trepidation galore among the friends of the circle when it was announced that the circle would produce Shakespeare's "Hamlet" on the evening of December 27, 28, and 29, 1887, with this staff and cast:
Hamlet Presented.
Manager, Otto F. Andrle; assistant manager, Edward F. Mischka; business manager, Charles M. Weyand; musical director, Alois P. Andrle; properties, Fred A. Zorn and Alois P. Andrle.
Hamlet...........................................Otto F. Andrle
Laertes.......................................Edward F. Mischka
King Claudius.....................................John P. Mayer
Polonius......................................Charles M. Weyand
Horatio............................................Otto R. Rick
Ghost............................................Frank L. Mayer
Rosencrantz..................................Charles M. Schmidt
Guilderstern.................................William J. Schreck
Osric...........................................Alois P. Andrle
Marcellus.....................................John C. Hasenzahl
Bernardo...........................................Fred A. Zorn
First Gravedigger...............................Edward J. White
Second Gravedigger..................................John L. Wex
Queen Gertrude...............................Miss Annie Beutter
Ophelia.......................................Mrs. Emily O'Neil
Player Queen...............................Miss Bohumila Andrle
Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, etc.
The three performances attracted overflowing audiences and the production was a huge financial success. The press notices were deservedly fair. The Courier critic said: "It is proper to say that especially good was Mr. Otto Andrle's impersonation of the melancholy Dane and Frank L. Mayer as the Ghost. The former has unmistakable talent, a strong dramatic face and a good stage face. With proper training he might attain to more than ordinary success as an actor."
The Commercial critic was equally generous and here is a portion of my own criticism:
"The production of 'Hamlet' by the St. Louis Dramatic Circle three nights the past week, reflected great credit on the talented young amateurs comprising the circle.
"Mr. Otto F. Andrle as Hamlet was excellent and at times showed true dramatic fire and inspiration. He surprised his many friends by his fine interpretation of so difficult a role.
"Mr. Edward F. Mischka as Laertes acquitted himself handsomely and Mr. John P. Mayer as the King; Mr. Charles M. Weyand as Polonius, Mr. Rick as Horatio, Mr. Frank L. Mayer as the Ghost, exhibited good dramatic appreciation and won encomiums from all present.
"Miss Annie Beutter made a handsome and stately Queen and Mrs. O'Neil and Miss Andrle also deserve praise.
"The Circle scored quite a success and judged as amateurs they deserve unstinted praise."
Dan Cupid at Work.
The Circle presented, through the years, many other plays and continued to win the applause and praises of admiring friends and patrons. They contributed extensively to the church funds. Accompanying pictures show Mr. Andrle in his memorable role of "Hamlet," with the skull of poor Yorick in his hands. I have pleasant memories of the masterly manner in which Mr. Andrle recited the series of soliloquies in the play, notably the great one beginning "To be or Not to be." Another picture shows my oldtime friend Mr. Mischka as Laertes, and I remember his spirited assualt upon the melancholy Dane in behalf of his old father, Polonius, and his fair sister, Ophelia.
Dan Cupid played an important part in the affairs of the circle in those early days.
Mr. Otto F. Andrle fell in love with the queen and wedded Miss Annie Beutter.
Polonius fell in love with the handsome player queen, and so it happened that Mr. Charles M. Weyand married Miss Bohumila Andrle, sister of the Andrle boys, and Mrs. O'Neil, I should explain, was a sister to Mr. Mischka.
Two steadfast patrons of the performances, Miss Katherine Boyle and Miss Katharine Wierling, also felt the darts of Cupid, for Miss Boyle wedded Mr. Mischka, and Mr. Otto F. Andrle and myself were the only attendants at their marriage. The other young lady became the partner of all my joys and sorrows. Poor Charley Weyand, son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Weyand, died in 1905 at the untimely age of 36 years, and his esteemed wife passed away several months ago. Other oldtime members who have made their final exit from life's stage include John L. Wex, Joseph Lux, Louis J. Roth, Fred Schweigert, Charles M. Schmidt, John Kam, Thomas Dunphy, John A. Kerker, F.J. Haberstro, William Sanders, Frank Schoenberger, Mrs. O'Neil.
The young man who interpreted the role of Guilderstern in the production of "Hamlet" recently celebrated his silver anniversary as rector of St. Gerard's Church in Bailey Avenue, and is rated as one of our best dramatic and scholarly pulpiteers.
Directs County Chairman.
Mr. Andrle, who assumed the great task of training the cast for the production of "The County Chairman" and attending to the scenic arrangements, costuming, etc., is now at the head of one of Buffalo's great stained glass works and he has painted many artistic works for the decoration of countless churches, etc., in all parts of the country. But for a number of years he felt the urge to take up the hardships of a theatrical career. He probably has appeared in hundreds of plays, mostly the classic drama, with such noted stars as Frank Mayo, in various plays, mostly juvenile leads, with Booth and Barrett's production of "Julius Caesar" (Casca), in the Frohman production of "The Prisoner of Zenda," role of Rupert; with Robert B. Mantell, in many leading roles with the H. Beresford's company, now playing in England; with James O'Neil in various roles, classic roles with Charles B. Hanford, a leading role with E.S. Willard in "The Cardinal," and leading roles with Louis James.
I dare say Mr. Andrle has scrap books filled with merited praise of critics in all parts of the United States and Canada, but I have space but for one -- Hannibal Williams, eminent Shakespearian critic of New York, who wrote over 30 years ago: "Mr. O.F. Andrle gave a performance of 'Hamlet' worthy of more pretentious artists. The reflective, vacillating Dane was strongly outlined by Mr. Andrle without rant or miasmatic mannerisms."
The Buffalo Times, May 26, 1929
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library