For over 130 years...

The legend of TRACY THEATRE ORIGINALS begins in the 1880's when William Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan, and producer Richard D'Oyly Carte were enjoying tremendous success in London with their notorious "Gilbert & Sullivan" operettas.

Curious about how their works were being performed in America, the three traveled to Boston, where they were shocked and appalled. Realizing there were no written versions of their operettas to follow, they commissioned George Lowell Tracy, a Boston music arranger and librarian to publish their scores and libretti through his Tracy Music Library, so that Americans could perform these popular entertainments as they were intended.

In the 1920's Ruth Metcalf joined the company and convinced Tracy to add costumes, scenery, and other Broadway musicals to their rental offerings.

Ann Carnaby became the fourth owner (third woman owner) in 1981, establishing a new tradition of high quality rental costumes, show specific props, makeup, wigs, and costume accessories at reasonable prices, to meet the ever-changing needs of the theatrical community.

Tracy Theatre Originals Today...

The staff at Tracy have unsurpassed experience outfitting musical and period productions, special events and occasions, and have participated in the development of many of the resource documents we offer here.