DRAMA CIRCLE BEGAN AS FUND RAISERS IN '85
No Meeting Skipped In 65-Year Existence
Shortly after St. Louis Church burned in 1885, a group of men parishioners banded together to raise funds for a new church. Their first meeting was held in a third floor room of the school on August 10th, 1885. With Thespian aspirations the men called their organization the St. Louis Dramatic Circle. The organization has met every month for 65 years in that same third floor school room behind the church.
"To my knowledge" said Carl A. Albert, secretary, a member since 1911, "we've never skipped a meeting."
Although charter members are all gone, anyone in the circle can tell you about the "good old days" for the organization has a unique continuity. It boasts a number of father and son combinations: Albert himself belongs to a three generation set-up. His mother, the former Miss Emma Kirn, played a lead in one of the first plays in 1888. Albert's son, Robert R. Albert, is also a member.
History Easily Followed
Through beautifully written minutes, old programs and "hand-me-down" tales, the history of the organization is easily traced. Immediately the men had decided they would raise money by turning their talents toward the stage, they hired a coach and swung into rehearsal on their first production, Joseph in Egypt. Preparations were made with great fanfare. Programs advertised products as chandeliers and gas fixtures, red hot peanuts, livery stables, harnesses and "elegant gold papers."
All went well until the performers tried to get the donkey up the three flights of stairs to the school auditorium. For a time it looked as if Mary would have to make the flight into Egypt on foot, but perseverance won over obstinacy. The play was a success and the Thespians were launched.
Most of the early plays were produced in the old Teck and at the Majestic which stood on the present site of Victor's. Over the years the amateur performers became more skilled, but even so, stagings were not without incident.
Tipsy Rip a Hit
Shortly before curtain time for the play Rip Van Winkle, Rip disappeared. A frantic search was on. Even when Rip was finally found, all still seemed lost, for Rip had been celebrating. Rip's loyal club-members half-dragged him to the theater and shoved him onto the stage. The bright lights dimmed Rip's gay spirits and he became drowsy. The critics acclaimed that no actor had ever so truly captured the spirit of Rip.
Old programs are dotted with names which have since become prominent in Buffalo. A young man who had the role of Guilderstern in Hamlet is now known to thousands as the Rt. Rev. Msgr. William J. Schreck pastor of St. Gerard's Church. Charles M. Weyand, owner of a brewery and restaurant on the site now occupied by the Courier-Express, took time off from his business affairs to bow before the footlights.
Otto Andrle, original coach, bade farewell to his Buffalo buddies to seek his fortune on Broadway. Later he became a leading Shakespearean actor. Even the dignity of the bench has bowed to plaudits. State Supreme Court Justice Paul J. Batt carried several leads. Miss Clara Sendker, a sister of Lieut. Alfred J. Sendker of the police department was a favorite with first-nighters. Albert has gone on to become assistant comptroller for the school department.
Plays Become Infrequent
Although movies later provided cheaper entertainment, the group kept up its amateur productions, but the intervals between plays was longer. One by one the old theaters folded and the group was confronted with staggering costs in producing. The last play was before the war. This was Room Service, which was staged in the Knights of Columbus Hall.
While the organization has always been strictly a stag affair, women were enlisted to fill feminine roles. Although membership is restricted to 30, turnover is slight. There is a pride in seniority. Louis Ladaescer, president, joined the Circle in 1903. There is a tinge of clan spirit, with fathers bringing their sons into membership as soon as they reach manhood. Member Karl Kieffer's father served as treasurer for 30 years and, upon his death, his son, William, took over the office and held it until the time of his death. Member Raymond Lux is the son of the late member Joseph Lux; other father and son combinations in the Circle include Henry Hecht and his son Robert; William Walters and his son Kenneth; Edward A. Rick and his son Edward.
Social Group Now
For a number of years, said Albert, the Circle has been mostly a social organization. We've all known each other for a long time and seldom miss a meeting. This year we are planning something definite in the dramatic line in conjunction with our 65th anniversary.
The old-timers might be a little rusty, but they've all had plenty of experience behind the floodlights. We've done all sorts of productions - comedy, tragedy and religious. In one play I had 150 lines in one speech. If I get a part in this years play, I hope there's no single speech that long. Just the thought of all that memorizing gives me the creeps. Back in the old days, it wouldn't have bothered any of us a bit.
Buffalo Courier Express, Sunday, January 15, 1950
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library