Recollections of the Theater-by Lenore McFarlane Ruesch

Recollections of the Old Salt Lake Theater by Lenore McFarlane Ruesch (written in 1960s?)

I realize that many famous actors and actresses made their debuts or appeared on the stage of the Old Salt Lake Theater, but countless ordinary folks were presented in amateur productions, and I was one of them: so I have found memories of the old theater.

I was a young child, seven or eight years old, when I appeared on the stage of the Old Salt Lake Theater in an elaborate patriotic production which impressed me so much that I have always remembered it.

Along with numerous other young students from the Salt Lake City schools, I was selected to be in a "living flag" tableaux.  In costumes of red, white and blue, we formed a huge shield and sand patriotic songs.  It was during the time of the first World War, and one of the songs we sang went like this:

If you don't like your Uncle Sammy

If you don't like the red, white and blue

Then go back from whence you came,

Whatever be its name,

And don't be unfaithful to me!

 

If you don't like the stars in Old Glory

If you don't like the red white and blue,

Then don't act like the cur in the story,

Don't bite the hand that's feeding you!

(Good Advice even today!)

 

We sang it with fervor and enthusiasm as only children can.

I remember that the theater was very old even then, with worn plush seats in the pit, creaky wooden floors and a sort of spooky atmosphere associated with the place, which added to my excitement.  I remember going through the dark, narrow, musty smelling hall to the dressing rooms and waiting in the gloomy wings until the lights went up, and our act was on.

Then I remember watching a crew of men pulling ropes as the huge curtains opened.  The bright footlights dazzled and blinded us to all but a blurred vision of the vast audience arranged neatly out font and far up to the highest tier of the balcony seats.  And finally I recall the thunderous applause which greeted the completion of each of our songs.

I felt really sad when they tore the old theater down.  There I had lived through an adventure comparable to that enjoyed by the pioneer actors and actresses.  The place might have been a "firetrap", as people said, but it was dear to my heart.  I had acted on that famous stage even though the crowd of those participating was so large that even my own mother couldn't pick me out.  But I had appeared on it's stage, and forever afterward, the "theater" was in my blood; and the Old Salt Lake Theater was a alive in my memory.