German Comedy at Turner Hall

On April 17, 1873 a comedy played at the Concordia Theater of the Turner Hall in Sandusky. The title of the play was Unberufene Dienstbarkeit! oder Ungeheurer Wirrwarr, which translated into English is Unwarranted Easement or Tremendous Confusion. All the members of the cast were of German descent. Players in the comedy included: Herman Dehnel, Lina Thieri, Emilie Doegelman, Mr. Linder, Mr. Streit, Heinrich Dehnel, Mr. Schoenemann, Mrs. Hauser, Mr. Klaus, Mr. Knebel, Miss Spathelf, Richard Riegger and Mr. Dreumus. Music was provided by the Great Western Band.

An article from the April 18, 1873 issue of the Sandusky Register reported that due to inclement weather, attendance was not as high as would have been expected, but “what the audience lacked in numbers it made up for in enthusiasm.” The reporter stated that the comedy was “rendered in a truly artistic manner.” According to History of Erie County, Ohio, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, at one time Sandusky had two German theaters, the Volks Theater and the Concordia Theater.

Heinrich Dehnel, whose name was later changed to Henry Dehnel, was one of the performers in Unberufene Dienstbarkeit! oder Ungeheurer Wirrwarr.