Colonel Robinson's New Humpty Dumpty Pantomime - circa 1870's Advertising Note

Ad note for Col. Robinson's New Humpty Dumpty Pantomime and Specialty Company. Rare! (front and back shown).

American pantomime, commonly referred to as panto, encompasses theatrical performances that have been showcased in the United States since 1876. These productions are rooted in the pantomime tradition that originated in England, either being presented in their original form or adapted for American audiences. In the United States, pantomime is typically staged during the Christmas season. Aimed at family audiences, these performances draw inspiration from nursery rhymes and fairy tales, featuring a blend of songs—ranging from traditional to contemporary—slapstick humor, topical references, magic, instances of cross-dressing, local allusions, audience engagement, and light adult innuendo. Similar to their British counterparts, American pantomimes emphasize audience interaction. Earlier iterations often included a harlequinade. While pantomime has not been a prevalent form of entertainment in the US throughout the 20th century and remains relatively obscure, both professional and amateur pantomime productions have been consistently staged across the country in recent decades.