A Musical Triumph for Marguerite McKinney
A packed house at the Seattle Theater celebrates the young singer before her departure for Chicago.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Miss McKinney's benefit at the Seattle Theater on Wednesday night was a complete success. A good and appreciative audience was present and all the boxes were filled. Miss McKinney's reception as she appeared through the curtained door in the rear of the stage was an ovation. She was attired in a particularly becoming Empire gown of corn-colored crepe de chine, with shoes and gloves to match, and looked charming. The program was an excellent one, featuring the Ladies' Musical Club, violin solos by Dr. M. White Fredrick, and piano selections by Robert Newell of Tacoma. Miss McKinney herself rendered several songs, including Beech's 'Springtide' and 'Beauty's Eyes,' earning enthusiastic encores. The event was bolstered by the Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent Society, which engaged one of the boxes in recognition of her past efforts. Miss McKinney leaves for Chicago on Sunday night to pursue her professional career.
“Miss McKinney's reception as she appeared through the curtained door in the rear of the stage was an ovation.”
In 1893, local cultural scenes were heavily driven by social clubs and theater benefits. Today, Seattle's arts sector remains reliant on similar community-led fundraising and private support, though the venues have evolved from the ornate opera-style houses of the era to a more diverse network of independent stages.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.