Eugene O'Neill's Emperior Jones was first produced by Ralph Chesse's Marionette theater with Blanding Sloan at his playhouse at 566 Merchant Street.  The theater was located in what was called the Monkey Block on Merchant and Montgomery in North Beach.  Ralph constructed and designed all the sets, marionettes, and costumes.  It was first of 4 theaters he was to open in the 20s, 30s and 40s starting in the depression and up through the WPA years when he was hired to run the Federal Theater's Marionette Theater Project from 1935-39.

Because of lack of funds, handbills and posters were printed on what ever paper or cardboard was available. 

Bruce Cheese, Ralph's son, writes: "My father was Creole born and raised in New Orleans in 1900.  He first visited California in 1921 and settled permanently in San Francisco in 1928".