Description: This is a rare program (playbill) from the week of October 27th, 1913 for the performances of THREE WORLD FAMOUS STARS at the Lyric Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ..... The three stars were GERTRUDE HOFFMANN representing America, Mme. POLAIRE representing France and LADY CONSTANCE STEWART-RICHARDSON representing England and Scotland ..... The Famous Titled Dancer LADY CONSTANCE STEWART-RICHARDSON presented a series of Faun Dances ..... Madame POLAIRE, "The Woman With the Smallest Waist in the World" presented the one-act play "THE VISITOR" written by GEORGES HAUD. Mme. POLAIRE was supported by EDGAR BECMAN and Mlle. CLASIS ..... Originated and Staged by Miss Hoffmann, "GERTRUDE HOFFMANN'S NEW REVUE" starred GERTRUDE HOFFMANN and featured CATHERINE WILSON, OLGA ZAICEFF, HELEN KERLIN, EMMA CUNNINGHAM, DeFOREST LA FLEUR, GERTRUDE ROLAND, MARJORIE ROLAND, LILLIAN DREWRY, MILDRED LA GAY, ROCHEN BAKER, DORIS LLOYD, MARGUERITE CRITTENDEN, LEE CHAPIN, BILLY MACON, JACK CLINTON, STAFFORD PEMBERTON, ESTELLE VERNON and JULIA CARLE. Under the Direction of F. RAY COMSTOCK and MORRIS GEST, the revue was produced and staged by GERTRUDE HOFFMANN with the orchestra conducted by MAX HOFFMANN ..... Biographical note: American vaudeville dancer and choreographer GERTUDE HOFFMANN (sometimes spelled Hoffman) was born Catherine Gertrude Hayes on May 7th, 1885 in San Francisco, California. At her mother's urging, Gertrude – whose early stage name was "Kitty" – took dancing lessons as a young girl and soon began auditioning for roles in the local theaters. She made her vaudeville debut in 1899 at Frederic Belasco's Alcazar Theatre. Gertrude met composer and arranger Max Hoffmann while touring as a dancer, and the two married in 1901. Hoffmann started out as a dancer and impressionist on the vaudeville stage; in her early years she performed imitations of other, more famous performers, including Eva Tanguay and Anna Held. Hoffmann worked with the latter in Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.'s "A Parisian Model" in 1906, shocking many by dressing in drag and dancing with Held. She made her first major impression on audiences in 1908, with her rendition of the then-popular "Dance of the Seven Veils," adapted from the biblical story of "Salome". Hoffmann was repeatedly arrested while touring the United States with the dance, although some historians suggest that the arrests were arranged by vaudeville impresario Oscar Hammerstein to drum up publicity. Despite the scandals, this period marked Hoffmann's change of focus from dancing as entertainment to dancing as a high art. Hoffmann also gained fame when she partnered with theatrical producer Morris Gest to introduce American audiences to the much-lauded Russian ballet company, the "Ballets Russes", in 1911 by hiring European dancers to perform pieces from the company, albeit without choreographer Michel Fokine's permission. Hoffmann continued to perform through the 1910's, although by the mid-1920's she had largely given up her role as a dancer to concentrate instead on directing and choreographing her own group. She formed the Gertrude Hoffmann Girls dance troupe during this time – a chorus line of up to 25 dancing girls whose stage act also included fencing and aerial acrobatics. This group performed on New York stages as well as at Paris' famed Moulin Rouge nightclub through the mid-1930's. (Reprinted in part from the Center for Brooklyn History website) ..... The program also includes the credits for the Post-Broadway engagement of the GEORGE BERNARD SHAW play "FANNY'S FIRST PLAY" at the Adelphi Theatre in Philadelphia beginning October 27th, 1913. (The Original Broadway production opened September 16th, 1912 at Collier's Comedy Theatre in New York City and ran for 256 performances before going on the road.) ..... The ensemble cast included GEORGE CARR, WILLIAM LEWIS SEALY, C. H. CROKER-KING, Miss JEAN STERLING, WALTER KINGSFORD, CLAUDE RAINS (making his American stage debut, twelve years before he would make his Broadway debut), VANE SUTTON-VANE, GORDON ASH, SIDNEY PAXTON, Miss KATE CARLYON, IVAN CAMPBELL, Miss EVA LEONARD BOYNE, Miss KATHERINE POLE, ARNOLD LUCY, Miss DULCE MUSGRAVE, HERBERT DANSEY and SPENCER GEACH ..... CREDITS: Book by GEORGE BERNARD SHAW; Orchestra conducted by H. SCHLITTLER; Directed by GRANVILLE BARKER; Produced by the Messrs. SAM S. and LEE SHUBERT ..... DETAILS: The 24 page program measures 5 1/4" X 7 3/4" inches and includes beautiful cover graphics, production credits, cast lists, synopsis of scenes, program notes, schedule of upcoming attractions and wonderful vintage advertising, but no photos or bios ..... CONDITION: (Please Note!) The back cover is missing and the front cover is detached from the staples, there is a nick at the top of the last page and moderate creasing. Despite these flaws, this rare playbill will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
Price: 79.99 USD
Location: Cannon Beach, Oregon
End Time: 2024-10-08T00:24:00.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.95 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Industry: Theater
Product: Playbills / Programs
Genre: Broadway Musical Revue
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Original / Reproduction: Original - U.S.
Date: 1910 - 1919
