Lyric Theatre, Jefferson, Mazda, Memphis

LYRIC . JEFFERSON . MAZDA

293 - 295 Madison

Opened 1906 . Closed 1933 . Seats 800 - 1530

The Lyric Theater presented the best in stage, Vaudeville, and eventually. movies. Sarah Bernhardt performed here, but in later years, prizefights were the major draw. The theatre burned on January 23, 1941 and today the site is empty. This theater has a very similar history to the Lyceum, and it's easy to confuse the two. It originally opened in 1906 as the JEFFERSON THEATRE, named after Joseph Jefferson of the theatre world *. It booked primarily drama, opera, and music. In 1911, the theatre was renamed the LYRIC and continued with that name until 1931 when a fraternal organization took over and renamed the theatre the MAZDA THEATRE.

Billboard Magazine in 1908 mentions that the theatre's first manager was Jack Amick, who had owned The Palace Theatre at 135 N. Main along with Amick's Vaudeville Exchange. In 1911, Benjamin M. Stainback secured a lease on the Jefferson, made improvements to the theatre and renamed it the Lyric. As manager he produced the first very successful season.

The Jefferson is listed in the Memphis Directories from 1909-1911. The Lyric is listed from 1911-1930. In 1931 the name changed to Mazda and it's listed for two years. 1933 is the last listing and a new name: Junior Order United American Mechanics Theatre. The 1913-14 Julius Cahn-Gus Hill Theatrical Guide lists The Lyric with 1530 Seats.(See below)

The vintage post card (below) shows the theatre building with "Jefferson Theater" printed on it, and a banner across the street reading "Jefferson". The Billboard Magazine (below) has an article about The Lyric and about Jack Amick. Most of the articles below discuss The Jefferson and contradict the dates of the Memphis Directory listings. The "1909 MOVIE ad" below, is probably from 1911 but verifies that the LYRIC did indeed show movies. The 1929 photo of The Lyric (below) shows posters advertising 1929's "The Desert Song" - Warner Brothers first 2 color Technicolor movie.

Coppock's "Memphis Memoirs"


"Jefferson" postcard	Lyric 1916		Jack Amick	Jack Amick letter	1914 Ticket-Pass

1909 Jefferson Theatre Programs

These rare programs, dated February and March of 1909, are for the plays "The Heir to the Hoorah" and "Salomy Jane" at the Jefferson Theatre. The programs include a diagram of the entire theatre's seating, offices, restrooms, exits, and some interesting Memphis ads.

Click on the Program Covers to see and read the entire programs

February 1909

March 1909


MOVIE Ad	Lyric -1929	Main St Sign 1913	Variety -1909	1919 Playbill	Variety -1919	Theatre History


Cahn -Hill Guide	Jefferson item 1908	Billboard 1908	Name Change 1911	Jefferson Ad 1909-10

1913, 1914,1920 Lyric Theatre Programs

These rare programs are for the plays "The White Slave"1913, "The Girl from Out Yonder" 1913, "At Cosy Corners", 1914, and Opera Season, 1920.

Click on the Program Covers to see the complete programs

1913

1914

1920


*1922 Central Class at Lyric Thetre*		*1918 Lyric Players*	*1921 Recital*	*1920 Program*

	* Joseph Jefferson
	Joseph Jefferson was an American actor and one of the most famous of all 19th century American comedians. He was particularly well known for his portrayal of Rip Van Winkle on stage, and reprising the role in several silent films. After 1865, he created no other major role and toured with the Rip Van Winkle play for decades. He was known for this single character and greatly admired for his success in the theatre world. Jefferson's name continues to live on through the Joseph Jefferson Awards in Chicago, which offers awards in recognition of excellence of Chicago's theater and their productions.

Diane Dunn, Round Rock TX - 4/2012.: "...I saw the information...regarding the early Palace Theatre which opened in 1907. You mentioned it was headquarters for Amick's Vaudeville Exchange. ...James J. Amick was my grandfather. ... I have a copy of the 1908 Memphis City Directory showing a listing for Jack Amick, manager of Amick's Vaudeville Exchange and Palace Theater. It gives his residence as the Arlington Hotel. Following that entry is the listing for Amick's Vaudeville Exchange at 135 N. Main. ... Here are the pictures we talked about. James Jackson Amick was born in Springfield TN 1884 and died in Michigan February 29, 1940.

Stephen Huff: "...The Lyric started out as The Jefferson in 1908. Its name was changed to The Lyric when the management changed in 1911. The name was changed again to the Mazda about 10 years before it burned in 1941."

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