It would be impossible to capture every incredible moment in the history of Allentown’s Miller Symphony Hall (formerly the Lyric Theatre). One particularly amusing incident occurred in the 1950s during the theater’s burlesque phase. The manager, Manny Davis, allowed his son Micheal to roam the theater freely. During one performance, a burlesque dancer asked Micheal to hold her clothes as she stripped. The young boy did so without much thought, until his father intervened shortly after.
In its early years, Miller Symphony Hall, originally intended to be the Central Market Hall, struggled to attract vendors due to the Pennsylvania German farmers’ reluctance to pay for a covered market space. The theater was eventually designed by the renowned firm McElfatrick and Sons and opened as The Lyric in 1899. The debut performance was a comedy/satire based on Frederick the Great of Prussia.
Over the years, The Lyric hosted a variety of events, from performances by Sarah Bernhardt and Booker T. Washington to political speeches by Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt. Vaudeville acts like Weber and Fields and Eddie Cantor graced the stage, entertaining audiences with their comedic performances.
The 1920s marked a golden era for The Lyric, as numerous Broadway-bound shows held tryouts at the theater. Al Jolson and Eugene O’Neil, among others, presented their works to tough Allentown audiences. Despite some hits and misses, The Lyric remained a key player in the theater world, making a lasting impact on Allentown’s cultural scene.
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