William Wheatley
Encyclopedia
William Wheatley was an American
stage
actor.
, the son of Frederick Wheatley, once a favorite actor in Baltimore and Philadelphia
. His mother was Sarah (Ross) Wheatley
, who died in 1873. She was an admirable and a justly renowned actress. He inherited talent for acting, together with a predilection for the stage.
His first public appearance was made when he was a child, on October 13, 1826, at the Park Theatre
, as "Albert" in William Tell
, during an engagement played by Macready, who expressed approbation of the boy, and encouraged expectation of his success. In 1833 he was at the Bowery Theatre
, acting walking-gentlemen (subordinate parts requiring dress and deportment as the chief qualifications). In 1834 he returned to the Park Theatre and was assigned to such parts as Laertes, Henry Moreland, Charles Courtly, Sir Thomas Clifford, Alfred Evelyn, and Claude Melnotte. He first attracted unusual notice there in the drama of "Rienzi
."
On September 22, 1842, Wheatley appeared at the Walnut Street Theatre
, Philadelphia, as Doricourt, in "The Belle's Stratagem" — a character which always remained a favorite with him, and in which, as in Rover in "Wild Oats," he delighted the public by his energetic vivacity and sun-bright merriment. His success in Philadelphia was brilliant and he became a popular favorite and long continued to be. On March 24, 1843, Wheatley took a farewell benefit
at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, and temporarily retired from the Stage.
In 1847 he played a star engagement at the Park Theatre, New York, in conjunction with his brilliant sister Emma Wheatley, afterward Mrs. James Mason. At about that time he visited Nicaragua
, and it is said that the first American flag flown there was raised by his hands, — on the shore of Virgin Bay. In 1853 he became associated with John Drew in the direction of the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, and there he continued to manage and act, — at first with Drew, then alone, and then with John Sleeper Clarke
, — till the spring of 1861. In the spring of 1862, after acting at Niblo's Garden
in the Wallack-Davenport Combination, he leased that theatre, and he continued to manage it until the autumn of 1868 (producing the record-breaking and historically important The Black Crook
in 1866), when he sold his interest to Messrs. Jarrett & Palmer and finally retired from management and from the Stage.
He died in New York City
on November 3, 1876.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stage
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
actor.
Biography
He was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the son of Frederick Wheatley, once a favorite actor in Baltimore and Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. His mother was Sarah (Ross) Wheatley
Sarah Wheatley
Sarah Wheatley was a United States stage actor.-Biography:Wheatley's father, whose last name was Ross, died when she was two years of age...
, who died in 1873. She was an admirable and a justly renowned actress. He inherited talent for acting, together with a predilection for the stage.
His first public appearance was made when he was a child, on October 13, 1826, at the Park Theatre
Park Theatre
Park Theatre or Park Theater may refer to:* Park Theatre , British Columbia* Park Theatre * Park Theatre , New York* Park Performing Arts Center, formerly Park Theater, in Union City, New Jersey...
, as "Albert" in William Tell
William Tell
William Tell is a folk hero of Switzerland. His legend is recorded in a late 15th century Swiss chronicle....
, during an engagement played by Macready, who expressed approbation of the boy, and encouraged expectation of his success. In 1833 he was at the Bowery Theatre
Bowery Theatre
The Bowery Theatre was a playhouse in the Bowery neighborhood of New York City. Although it was founded by rich families to compete with the upscale Park Theatre, the Bowery saw its most successful period under the populist, pro-American management of Thomas Hamblin in the 1830s and 1840s...
, acting walking-gentlemen (subordinate parts requiring dress and deportment as the chief qualifications). In 1834 he returned to the Park Theatre and was assigned to such parts as Laertes, Henry Moreland, Charles Courtly, Sir Thomas Clifford, Alfred Evelyn, and Claude Melnotte. He first attracted unusual notice there in the drama of "Rienzi
Rienzi
Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen is an early opera by Richard Wagner in five acts, with the libretto written by the composer after Bulwer-Lytton's novel of the same name . The title is commonly shortened to Rienzi...
."
On September 22, 1842, Wheatley appeared at the Walnut Street Theatre
Walnut Street Theatre
The Walnut Street Theatre , located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 825 Walnut Street, is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the English-speaking world and the oldest in the United States...
, Philadelphia, as Doricourt, in "The Belle's Stratagem" — a character which always remained a favorite with him, and in which, as in Rover in "Wild Oats," he delighted the public by his energetic vivacity and sun-bright merriment. His success in Philadelphia was brilliant and he became a popular favorite and long continued to be. On March 24, 1843, Wheatley took a farewell benefit
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, and temporarily retired from the Stage.
In 1847 he played a star engagement at the Park Theatre, New York, in conjunction with his brilliant sister Emma Wheatley, afterward Mrs. James Mason. At about that time he visited Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, and it is said that the first American flag flown there was raised by his hands, — on the shore of Virgin Bay. In 1853 he became associated with John Drew in the direction of the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, and there he continued to manage and act, — at first with Drew, then alone, and then with John Sleeper Clarke
John Sleeper Clarke
John Sleeper Clarke , 19th century American comedian and actor, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was educated for the law. In his boyhood he was a schoolmate of Edwin Booth who was born in the same year as he, and with whom he engaged in amateur dramatic readings as members of the Baltimore...
, — till the spring of 1861. In the spring of 1862, after acting at Niblo's Garden
Niblo's Garden
Niblo's Garden was a New York theatre on Broadway, near Prince Street. It was established in 1823 as "Columbia Garden" which in 1828 gained the name of the Sans Souci and was later the property of the coffeehouse proprietor and caterer William Niblo. The large theatre that evolved in several...
in the Wallack-Davenport Combination, he leased that theatre, and he continued to manage it until the autumn of 1868 (producing the record-breaking and historically important The Black Crook
The Black Crook
The Black Crook is considered to be the first piece of musical theatre that conforms to the modern notion of a "book musical". The book is by Charles M. Barras , an American playwright...
in 1866), when he sold his interest to Messrs. Jarrett & Palmer and finally retired from management and from the Stage.
He died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on November 3, 1876.