The Theatre

The Peck's Bad Boy play was produced over approximately a 30 year period from the early 1880's to around 1910. Charles Felton Pidgin wrote the musical play (adapted from the Peck's Bad Boy stories) which formed the basis for the Atkinson Comedy Company's production. Atkinson's play was certainly the most prevalent during these years. A number of other production companies both with and without licenses from the play's owner, Charles Albert Shaw, also did the play.

Each year the play would cut a swath through a territory playing at local theaters from week to week. The actors would generally stay the same for a season but frequently there would be changes from season to season. This was also true of the script which would be changed sometimes based on the region where the play was being held. Musical scores were changed as well.

Tracking down the numerous production companies, their actors, their schedules and their scripts/music may very well be an impossible task. Nonetheless, it is our hope to do just that on this site.

Atkinson Comedy Company

Flyer. November 11, 1904 - Lewisburg Opera House