SAM'L OF POSEN

or, The Commercial drummer. Theatrical legend suggests that actor M. B. Curtis commissionedGeorge H. Jessopto write a play in which the central character is a heroic Jew. Jessop's four-act play, with Curtis playing the title character, opened on 16 May 1881 for 96 performances at Haverly's Theatre. Jewish salesman Samuel Plastrick hopes to marry Rebecca, whose family he knew in the old world. Rebecca and Samuel work at a jewelry store owned by Jack Cheviot's uncle, Winslow. Jack, who also works at the store, is framed for a crime he did not commit by Frank Kilday. Winslow fires Jack, as well as Rebecca and Samuel, forcing Samuel to discover that Frank is the real criminal. Curtis played Samuel for many years and took credit for an adaptation of the play, cowritten with EdwardMarble.