Rosedale

Rosedale; or, the Rifle Ball (1863), a play by Lester Wallack. [ Wallack's Theatre, 125 perf.] Lady Florence May (Mrs. Hoey) is a widow whose late husband stipulated in his will that if she remarried without the consent of his uncle, Col. Cavendish May (H. F. Daly), she would forfeit her inheritance, half of which would go to her young son and half to the Colonel. The Colonel plots to kill the child and either to push Florence into remarrying without his consent or to break her heart. To this end he connives with the blackguard Miles McKenna (John Gilbert). Meanwhile, Elliot Grey (Wallack), a former suitor of Lady Florence, has become a soldier of fortune since being rejected, but remains loyal and loving. Matthew Leigh (Charles Fisher), a local doctor, also loves Florence. Years before, Matthew's baby brother had been stolen by gypsies, so when McKenna tells him he is that same younger brother and now has a criminal record, Matthew breaks off his suit. McKenna and the Colonel then kidnap Florence's son but Elliot Grey retrieves the child and reveals that he, Elliot, is Matthew's real lost brother. So Matthew and Florence are free to wed. This complicated, often preposterous and action‐filled melodrama was one of Wallack's biggest successes, remaining in the company's repertory until the end. That such a piece could have so vast an appeal to audiences in New York's most elite playhouse suggests that the difference between Bowery melodrama and many of Wallack's plays was one of degree not kind. Even after Wallack's company disbanded, the play was revived regularly for the rest of the century.