Charles Dillingham

Charles Bancroft Dillingham (May 30, 1868 – August 30, 1934) was an American theatre manager and producer of over 200 Broadway shows.

There he produced ice skating spectacles and competitions, dance stars such as Anna Pavlova, and it is where 'Poor Butterfly' was first heard.

[1] Dillingham also introduced and managed dozens of star actors including Julia Marlowe and Ruby Keeler.

Dillingham began his producing career in 1902, with a production of The Cavalier, starring Julia Marlowe, William Lewers and Frank Worthing.

In 1915, Dillingham hired the Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova to perform in New York City for six months.

Dillingham bought his wife the home owned by Barbara Hatch (a daughter of Mrs. Willy Vanderbilt) at 153 East 63rd Street later owned by Gypsy Rose Lee, Jasper Johns and Spike Lee.The couple were regulars in society just as the old guard and the theater world began mingling.

There have been various reports and rumors of Dillingham's homosexuality including a longtime relationship with Charles Frohman, with whom he lived for some time between his marriages.

"[citation needed] Ill health and the stock market crash of 1929 forced Dillingham to give up producing.

It reminded me of a somewhat similar question asked by the once great theatrical producer, Charles Dillingham, at a time when he was broke and commencing to be forgotten along the big street, of which he was once one of the most glamorous and successful figures.