Troja (singer)

Troja (singer) was a musical theatre performer in New York City in the 1890s and early 20th century. An 1894 advertisement commentedthat she was a "serio-comic" singer."Notes Of The Stage", New York Times, June 10, 1894, pg. 12.] Other items described her as "a singing comedienne who is clever." ["Van Biene At Olympia", January 19, 1897, pg. 7.] and "droll" ["Theatres and Music Halls", New York Times, January 26, 1897, pg. 7.]

Comic Singer

She performed at the Central Opera House Music Hall,"Notes Of The Stage", New York Times, April 22, 1894, pg. 13.] Sixty-Seventh Street and Third Avenue (Manhattan-Bronx),"Now A Public Place Of Amusement", New York Times, Wednesday, April 23, 1894, pg. 5.] on the east side of Manhattan (New York), in April 1894. The building was built in 1889 at a cost of $800,000. It was remodeled for an additional expense of $150,000 so that it seated 1,500 people. A New York Times pieceannouncing Troja as the star on a bill at the same venue, in May, describes the entertainment as "high-class vaudeville. ["Notes Of The Stage",New York Times, May 6, 1894, pg. 12.]

At Koster & Bial's Music Hall,135 West 34th Street (Manhattan), [ [http://cinematreasures.org/theater/14770/ Cinema Treasures | Koster & Bial's Music Hall ] ] Troja was part of a variety show in June 1894. Other acts included Mlle. Naomi, equilibrist, Mlle. Lalo, female bicyclist,and the "living pictures" of Oscar Hammerstein. In June 1895 she introduced six new songs as the main attraction of an American Theatre Roof Garden,"The Theatrical Week", New York Times, June 9, 1895, pg. 13.] Bowery, [ [http://www.mcny.org/collections/painting/maincatalogue.htm Painting the Town - Museum of the City of New York ] ] show. On stormy nights presentations were given in the theatre.

The Bohemia Roof Garden stood opposite the Marlborough Hotel at Broadway (Manhattan) and 36th Street. Extensive renovations were required to be made to the building before it was opened to the public for performances on July 3, 1895. Owners, Levinson and Steinreich, secured some of New York's leading talent to entertain as well as a splendid orchestra. Troja joined Al Wilson, Sam Bernard, a great mirror dancer named Pepinta, Maud Raymond, Cushman and Holcomb, David Warfield, and Imro Fox among the varied billoffered by the theatrical venue. ["Notes Of The Stage", New York Times, June 30, 1895, pg. 11.]

The Trocadero opened in March 1896 as a refurbishment of Koster & Bial's old place. Troja was engaged for the opening performance for which a new stage had been added along with new management. Mlle. Dumont, a chanteuse eccentrique, and Mignonette, a dancer, were among the other acts. ["Turns At Other Music Halls', New York Times, March 1, 1896, pg. 10.]

She was with actor and violincello player, Auguste Van Biene,at Hammerstein's Olympia Music Hall, Broadway between 44th Street and 45th Street, [ [http://www.musicals101.com/bwaypast3.htm#Lyric Demolished Broadway Theatres: G to He ] ] in January 1897."Theatrical Bills For This Week", New York Times, January 17, 1897, pg. 11.] During the same month she took part in a benefit for Sam Weston, a blind minstrel, given at the Fifth Avenue (Manhattan) Theatre. Marie Dressler, Verona Jarbeau, and Bessie Bonehill also participated. ["Theatrical Gossip", New York Times, January 28, 1897, pg. 7.] At theend of January Troja and Van Biene were at the Olympia Music Hall,"Display Ad 19--No Title", New York Times, January 31, 1897, pg. 11.] Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets, [ [http://www.musicals101.com/bwaypast3.htm#Lyric Demolished Broadway Theatres: G to He ] ] with Little Egypt (dancer) and Minnie Renwood.

The Pleasure Palace,"Theatres and Music Halls", New York Times, October 19, 1897, pg. 7.] East 58th Street between Third Avenue (Manhattan) and Lexington Avenue (Manhattan), ["Manager Proctor's New Theatre", New York Times, Wednesday, July 28, 1895, pg. 11.] was managed by F.F. Proctor. Troja was on a bill there in October 1897. Entertainment included singing, dancing, and acrobatics.

Sam T. Jack's Theatre was a burlesque house on State Street (Chicago) and Madison Street (Chicago) in Chicago, Illinois. [ [http://www.streetswing.com/histclub/a1s.htm Dancer History Archives - Historic Night Clubs - Index Pages: S ] ] Troja appeared there with Emma Carus and Jennie Yeamans in June 1898. ["Notes Of The Week", New York Times,June 12, 1898, pg. 9.]

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