David Belasco
Director, Designer, Playwright, Producer
American
Introduction
David Belasco was a famed theatre writer, director, producer, and theatre manager. He adapted many works for the stage as a dramatist and designed countless stage sets as a technical innovator. Belasco participated in the creation of over 100 Broadway productions over the course of his long and extremely fruitful career, whether as a director, playwright, or producer. From his humble beginnings in California to a thriving life in New York as an artistic jack-of-all-trades, Belasco’s ambitious rise to prominence sent reverberations throughout the American theatre industry.
Belasco married Cecilia Loverich in 1880. Though their marriage lasted over 50 years, he was a notorious womanizer. Belasco had two daughters, Reina and Augusta. In May of 1931 Belasco died at the age of 77. He is buried in Ridgewood, Queens.
Key Dates & Events
- 1880 - Belasco marries Cecilia Loverich.
- 1898 - Belasco writes, directs, and produces the hit play, The Heart of Maryland.
- 1900 - Belasco produces one of his most famous plays, Madame Butterfly: A Tragedy of Japan.
- 1905 - Belasco uses cutting-edge theatre technology to create a sunrise sequence at the beginning of his production of Girl of the Golden West.
- 1907 - The Belasco Theatre opens its doors.
Context & Analysis
Education & Influences
David Belasco was born in San Francisco to Abraham H. Belasco and Reyna Belasco. His parents were Sephardic Jews who immigrated to the West Coast during the California Gold Rush from England. Belasco would later become a member of the Central Synagogue in New York City and the Jewish Theatrical Guild.
Belasco started small, working incidental
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