1932 21 Nov. 3 Ash is the guy that invented the idea of having the pit band play on the stage.
1946 R. Blesh (1949) xii. 280 Completely in the manner of the average musical comedy pit band of the 1920's.
2003 D. Horn in 52/1 In most theatrical presentations involving a pit band, the pit is located in front of the stage at a lower level.