John B. Schoeffel

John Baptist Schoeffel (May 11, 1846 - d. Boston, 31 August 1918),[1] was an American theatre manager and producer, and hotel owner.

Together they managed the Academy of Music in Buffalo, New York and Abbey's Park Theatre in Manhattan until both were destroyed by fire in 1882.

They also presented European theatrical stars in tours of the United States, including Henry Irving and Ellen Terry.

In 1880 Schoeffel and Abbey collaborated with fellow theatre impresario Maurice Grau to manage and produce actress Sarah Bernhardt's first tour of the United States.

[2] He began his career in the theatre business working as an usher at the Hayes Opera House in his native city.

One of these, Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, starred Nance O'Neill, a close friend of Lizzie Borden.

[15] Schoeffel died at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, on 31 August 1918 after a stroke two weeks earlier.