Maurice Hegeman

Maurice Hegeman (c. 1848 – died February 1913)^[1] was an American musical theatre actor, playwright, librettist, and the inventor of the Brooklyn cocktail. He wrote the book and lyrics for the road musical Gay New York (1905), and starred in several Broadway productions, and Other big organizations produced by Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Maurice Hegeman began his career as the stage manager of an opera company in his native city.^[1] He moved to Brooklyn, New York and worked as an actor on Broadway.^[2] He first drew attention in the New York theatre as the playwright and lyricist for the musical Gay New York which toured to Broadway's Murray Hill Theatre in February 1906.^[3] A successful "road musical" starring Dan Mason, the production had a long tour through the mid-western and eastern portions of the United States that began in the autumn of 1905.^[4]

In 1908–1909 Hegeman starred in Ludwig Engländer's musical Miss Innocence at the New York Theatre; playing the triple roles of The Marquis de Chabert, Schmalz, and Dr. Charcot.^[5] It was the first of several musicals produced by Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. that he would star in; including Ziegfeld Follies of 1909,^[2] Ziegfeld Follies of 1910, and The Pink Lady (1911 and 1912 revival, Dr. Mazou).^[1]

In addition to his work in the theatre, Hegeman also worked as bartender at Schmidt Cafe near the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge. There he invented the original version of the Brooklyn Cocktail in 1910 which included a mix of hard cider, absinthe, and ginger ale.^[6]

Maurice Hegeman died at the age of 65 in St. Louis, Missouri during the last week of February 1913 due to complications from surgery.^[1] At the time of his death, he was starring in the national tour of The Pink Lady alongside his wife, the actress Alice Hegeman (1880–1970).^[1]

• Dietz, Dan (2022). The Complete Book of 1900s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN 9781538168943.
• Joseph P. Eckhardt (2020). Dan Mason: From Vaudeville to Broadway to the Silent Screen. McFarland & Company. ISBN 9781476641812.
• Orr Shtuhl (2013). An Illustrated Guide to Cocktails: 50 Classic Cocktail Recipes, Tips, and Tales. Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 9781101620199.

• Maurice Hegeman at the Internet Broadway Database