On April 23, 1864, in celebration of Shakespeare’s 300th birthday, a group of prominent New Yorkers wished to commemorate the tricentennial by erecting a statue. As part of the project’s fundraising effort, New York theatregoers joyfully witnessed an historic event. Three members of the famous Booth family appeared on stage together for the first (and only) time. Although Edwin was the most acclaimed, all three brothers were considered among the most prominent Shakespearean

When do self-fulfilling prophecies become self-defeating? Superstitions among actors are legion, e.g. it’s bad luck to say “good luck,” green is unlucky to wear on stage, misfortune follows when someone whistles in a dressing room. Although the list is seemingly endless, most infractions are considered by even the most superstitious among us to be venial sins which do not require repentance and a cleansing ritual. There is, however, one cardinal sin that some believe must nev