San Francisco Chronicle

September 12, 1908. This article is reprinted below.

Disclaimer: All newspaper articles are reprinted exactly as they appeared in the newspaper regardless of misspellings, grammar, errors, or omissions.


Valencia Theater Will Open To-Night

Curtain of the New Playhouse Will Raise on the Performance of "The Great Ruby"

THE Valencia Theater will open tonight with the Valencia Stock Company of "The Great Ruby." Mechanics have been working all day and night to complete the new edifice and it is promised that when the curtain goes up one of the most beautiful theater interiors in this city will be disclosed to view.

The new theater is situated on Valencia, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, and has a total seating capacity of 1800. The building is fireproof, of steel and concrete construction, while a cantilever supports the balcony, which necessitates only two small posts in the rear of the auditorium.

The decorations are in green and gold, and a red plush drop curtain, with an American flag embroidered in the center, conceals the stage. The equipment for handling scenery is thoroughly modern and complete in every respect.

The playhouse was designed by J. Charles Green, and is especially adapted for use of a stock company. This company has already been engaged and is headed by Robert Warwick and Willette Kershaw, with Cedley Brown as stage director.

The opening play, "The Great Ruby," is a spectacular scenic melodrama, and is only possible of production on a large and completely equipped stage. There are six acts and fourteen scenes, from which may be gathered an idea of the extent of the stage appurtenances. The possibilites of the new house in the way of stage effects are said to be unexcelled, and a specialty of this class of productions will be made.

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