Syracuse Premiere of L. Frank Baum Musical "The Maid of Arran"

On Monday, May 15, 1882, L. Frank Baum's new musical The Maid of Arran opened at the Grand Opera House in Syracuse. It was Baum's twenty-sixth birthday. Tickets cost $5.50 (about $120 in current dollars). Baum had composed the play's book, lyrics, and music and also played the lead role. He had  based The Maid of Arran on the 1873 novel A Princess of Thule by Scottish author William Black (1841–1898). Baum's first great success, the play went on tour around the country, including a run on Broadway, before returning to Syracuse.

Thanks to Timothy Binga for research assistance.