description Empire Circuit Overview
The Empire Circuit, also known as the Western Wheel, was an early 20th-century American burlesque booking network centered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It operated as a major cooperative organization that routed traveling burlesque shows and performers across theaters in the United States. The circuit competed directly with the East Coast-based Columbia Amusement Company before the two organizations merged in 1913. This network played a significant role in the structure of the classic era of American burlesque entertainment.
help Empire Circuit FAQ
What was the Empire Circuit in burlesque history?
The Empire Circuit was a Cincinnati-centered burlesque booking network that operated in the early 20th century. It was also known as the Western Wheel, serving as a major organizational body for vaudeville and burlesque performers.
Who were the competitors to the Empire Circuit?
The Empire Circuit, or Western Wheel, primarily competed against the Columbia booking agency. These rival organizations fought fiercely over performance venues, talent contracts, and regional dominance in the theater industry.
What happened to the Empire Circuit?
The intense competition and consolidation of the theater industry eventually led to the absorption of the Empire Circuit in 1913. This merger fundamentally restructured the national burlesque booking landscape.
Where was the Empire Circuit primarily located?
The network was centered in Cincinnati, Ohio, though it managed bookings for theaters across the American Midwest. This geographic focus gave it regional strength distinct from East Coast theatrical circuits.
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