Starring Madame Modjeska

by Beth Holmgren

In 1876, Poland's leading actress, Helena Modrzejewska emigrated to Southern California. Within a year, she made her debut in the title role of Adrienne Lecouvreur at San Francisco's California Theatre. Changing her name to Modjeska, she quickly became a leading star on the American stage for the next 30 years. Modjeska, a Shakespearean actress, played opposite celebrated actors Edwin Booth and Maurice Barrymore.