Belasco, << buh LAS koh, >> David (1853-1931), was a leading American playwright, producer, and director. Many of his early plays were adaptations or collaborations. However, beginning with the American Civil War romance The Heart of Maryland (1895), he became famous for staging his own plays. Later Belasco plays included Madame Butterfly (1900) and The Girl of the Golden West (1905). The Italian composer Giacomo Puccini turned both plays into famous operas. Belasco’s productions were admired for their daring experiments with electric lighting, then in an early stage of development. His productions were also known for their realism. In one play, he faithfully re-created a restaurant, with characters brewing fresh coffee and making pancakes on stage.
Belasco was born on July 25, 1853, in San Francisco and began his theater career there. His most successful years were spent in New York City, where he built several theaters. The performers who achieved stardom in his productions included David Warfield and Caroline Carter (known professionally as Mrs. Leslie Carter). Belasco died on May 14, 1931.
