The (Gasp!) Canadian Who Played Abraham Lincoln
An old trick of the media is to suggest an upcoming event will cause Great Offence and Controversy, without waiting to see if it actually does. Source: The (Gasp!) Canadian … Continue reading
Neil Simon, a Master of Comedy on Broadway, Is Dead at 91 – The New York Times
Neil Simon, the playwright whose name was synonymous with Broadway comedy and commercial success in the theater for decades, and who helped redefine popular American humor with an emphasis on … Continue reading
JULY 29, 1887: NAUGHTY NOMADS AND SINGING SOTS – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
Born in 1887, Sigmund Romberg moved to the United States in 1909 and, after a short resume builder in a pencil factory (as a sharpener?), found work as a pianist. … Continue reading
ENGLISH THEATRE ACTRESS PAMELA GAYTHORNE AND HER NOT SO SUBTLE HAT | THE CABINET CARD GALLERY
This vintage real photo postcard features English stage actress Pamela Gaythorne. She is quite attractive and wearing much jewellery and lace. Note her not so subtle hat. It looks as … Continue reading
The Ups and Downs of Lina Basquette | Travalanche
Lina Basquette (Lena Copeland Baskette) was born on April 19, 1907. Basquette was a star of stage and screen through several different phases but is perhaps best remembered today for … Continue reading
Joseph Cotten: Courtliness Personified | Travalanche
Joseph Cotten (1905-1994) was born on May 15. The late year of his death surprised me. Cotten’s last film had been in 1981 and I couldn’t imagine him ever not … Continue reading
January 16, 1908: Next Day on Your Dressing Room They Hung a Star – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
A few names are synonymous with the Broadway musical theater – Rodgers and Hammerstein, the Gershwins, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, composers all. As an entertainer, one name looms large; … Continue reading
PORTRAIT OF STAGE ACTRESS AND JOURNALIST JULIE OPP (VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD) | THE CABINET CARD GALLERY
This vintage real photo postcard features stage actress Julie Opp (1871-1921). Miss Opp was an American stage actress who was for many years popular in America as well as in … Continue reading
The Space is the Place; the Museum’s Collection on Theaters | MCNY Blog: New York Stories
With Archtober – New York City’s annual Architecture and Design Month – almost upon us, it has got my theater archivist’s mind turning to the city’s history of theater buildings. … Source: The Space is … Continue reading
The play within a play’s the thing! | MCNY Blog: New York Stories
“The play’s the thing…” William Shakespeare’s Hamlet famously says at the end of Act II, “…wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” For … Source: The play within a … Continue reading
Controversy Erupts Over The “Non-Whites” Only Casting Call For The Hamilton Musical | JONATHAN TURLEY
There is an interesting controversy surrounding the hit musical “Hamilton” on Broadway. I have not yet seen the play on a trip to New York but I have been told … Continue reading
From the Bowery to Broadway: Women of the Yiddish Stage | MCNY Blog: New York Stories
Last week, the Museum opened “New York’s Yiddish Theater: From the Bowery to Broadway,” a fabulous new exhibition that explores the history and influence of Yiddish theater in New York … Continue reading
The short, sad story of actress Clara Bloodgood | MCNY Blog: New York Stories
On the evening of December 5, 1907, respected actress and society woman Clara Bloodgood fatally shot herself in a Baltimore hotel room. She was in town to star as the … Continue reading
ROMANTIC SCENE FROM THE PLAY “HAVANA” (1908): VINTAGE REAL PHOTO POSTCARD
This vintage real photo postcard captures a scene from the stage production of “Havana” which appeared in 1908 at the Gaiety Theatre in London. The play ran for 221 performances … Continue reading
Archive Interview • IAN RICHARDSON • Part 4 • 2006
Passions and Portents “It wasn’t very pleasant,” says Ian Richardson with understatement. He is referring to his experience of active duty during National Service in the aftermath of World War … Continue reading
Lithe spirit: Dame Angela Lansbury at 90
A lifetime achievement in musical theatre acknowledges Lansbury’s prolific career spanning seven decades. People like to pass landmark birthdays in meaningful places, so it seems right that Dame Angela Lansbury … Continue reading
May de Sousa by Bassano 1905
Originally posted on FROM THE BYGONE:
May De Sousa (1884 – 1948) was an American singer and a Broadway actress. She came to fame in 1898 as the singer of “Dear…
CAMILLE D’ARVILLE: PRETTY STAGE ACTRESS WITH STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT MARRIAGE AND CAREER
Originally posted on THE CABINET CARD GALLERY:
This cabinet card portrait features pretty stage star Camille D’Arville (1863-1932). The photograph was published by Newsboy and was number 38 of a…
The mystery of Mabel E. Johnston, who drew beautiful costumes | MCNY Blog: New York Stories
Originally posted on MCNY Blog: New York Stories. In 1978, the Museum received a collection of costume design renderings that featured the work of well-known theatrical designers such as Boris Aronson, … Continue reading
‘Fun Home,’ ‘Curious Incident,’ Helen Mirren Win Big at 2015 Tony Awards
Happy 90th Birthday Kim Stanley
Originally posted on Waldina:
Today is the 90th birthday of the actress Kim Stanley. She was the narrator of To Kill A Mockingbird and played Francis Farmer‘s mother in Frances,…
Conrad Cantzen Shoe Fund
Originally posted on The Green Room:
Being an actor is tough. So when there are fun resources available to us, I’m all for it! One of the most fun is…
Flops: when good theater goes bad
Originally posted on MCNY Blog: New York Stories:
Broadway is a magical place. Through the dreams, combined talents, and sheer luck of a group of people, audiences are transported into…
Royal Shakespeare Company Hit ‘Wolf Hall’ Moves to Broadway with Original Stars
Happy Birthday Claudette Colbert
Originally posted on Waldina:
Today is the 111th birthday of Claudette Colbert. NAME: Claudette Colbert OCCUPATION: Film Actress, Theater Actress BIRTH DATE: September 13, 1903 DEATH DATE: July 30, 1996…
Decadance and Fashion: Costume Treasures
Originally posted on MCNY Blog: New York Stories:
Theatre is a space that grants opportunity for collaboration, inviting artists of different medias to join together to create something much larger than themselves.…
Rogues & Vagabonds 