The term Vaudeville (1880-1920) refers to stage entertainment consisting of various acts such as comedians, singers and performing animals.  It was the most popular form of entertainment until the rise of major motion pictures during the early 1920s.

In Follansbee, the Oberfield Brothers vaudeville troupe arrived in town on June 7, 1910.  The troupe traveled on a circuit that included Follansbee.  They pitched their tents at the corner of Virginia avenue and Ohio street for a week stay.  The Herald Star reported, “A good clean vaudeville play is being presented, the show here under the auspices of the Follansbee band.”

The Palace Theater and other city movie houses presented live vaudeville acts along with motion pictures.   In early June 1914, the Palace featured Dr. Atkinson, magician and king of ventriloquists, Joe Egan, the funny man and eccentric dancer, Irene Hallman, a popular singer and comedian, and Helen Gatley, who sang beautiful illustrated ballads.   A 1915 vaudeville act at the Palace featured Professor Odar and his dogs.  “Teddy, one of the canine stars, performed so much beyond the ablest of his kind that many thought the animal possessed human intelligence.”

• Mill Towns Review, “Review of the Week,” June 5, 1914, front page.
• Follansbee Review, “Wonderful Attraction at The Palace,” September 3, 1915, front page.
• Steubenville Herald Star, “Follansbee Notes,”  June 7, 1910.