JUDAH, ABRAHAM

(1849-1915)

The nationally respected theatre manager was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but made his career in Kansas City from 1883, beginning with a dime museum. He opened a cyclorama in 1886, but quickly moved intolegitimatetheatre at the Ninth Street Theatre in partnership with Melville Hudson. From 1891, Judah was primarily associated with the Grand Opera House, which he built that year and managed until his death. Judah's integrity was such that company managers would trust him to count the receipts alone, and his quiet works of charity benefited many actors. His birthday would bring telegrams from all over the country. Robert Grau, inThe Business Man in theAmusementWorld, called Judah "the best liked showman in the West" (1910, 155).