The Cincinnati Enquirer reported on April 03, 1880, that Farny had sketched some pictures currently on display that promoted the comedic musical “The Doctor of Alcantra“. The article included descriptions of his work. I was unable to locate any of these Farny drawings.
The Operetta Research Center blog makes the argument that the Doctor of Alcantara is the first American Musical. That website also summarizes the plot:
The plot followed the student, Carlos, in his attempts to woo Isabella, daughter of the Doctor Paracelcus, against the wishes of her vain and ambitious mother. When Carlos, in his attempt to get past his sweetheart’s guardian, is delivered to the house in a basket, it is dumped in the river, when he is offered wine it turns out to be a sleeping draught and the Doctor thinks he has committed murder, but, at the end of everything, the boy turns out to be — of course — the very unknown young man whom Isabella’s parents had earmarked for her.
