FROHMAN, CHARLES

(1860-1915)

Born in Sandusky, Ohio, Charles Frohman worked in various capacities in the theatre before succeeding as a producer withBronsonHoward'sShenandoah(1889), a long-running hit acclaimed for introducing a heightened realism and social commentary to themelodrama-inclined commercial theatre. The income from this success permitted Frohman to establish the Empire Theatre stock company withJohn Drewas its star. Frohman created a stable of young actors who emerged from the company to be exploited by Frohman as stars in touring productions.His "star and combination" system also worked effectively in the English theatre, when Frohman ran the Duke of York Theatre in a similar fashion beginning in 1898. Among the major stars in Froh-man's stable besides Drew wereMaude Adams, Arnold Daly, Annie Russell, Margaret Anglin, Julia Marlowe, William H. Crane, Otis Skinner, and Ethel Barrymore.

Frohman was one of the six businessmen who formed theTheatrical Syndicatein 1896. He continued to produce as many as a dozen new productions a year until his death in the sinking of theLusitaniain 1915. Among his notable offerings were Oscar Wilde'sThe Importance of Being Earnest(1895),WilliamGillette'sSecret Service(1896),J. M. Barrie'sThe Little Minister(1896) andPeter Pan(1904), andClydeFitch'sBarbara Frietchie(1899). His brothers,Danieland Gustave, were also producers.