Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels

Event Information

Venue(s):
Kelly and Leon's Minstrels Hall (720 Broadway)

Event Type:
Minstrel

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
2 March 2016

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

25 Mar 1867, Evening
26 Mar 1867, Evening
27 Mar 1867, Evening
28 Mar 1867, Evening
29 Mar 1867, Evening
30 Mar 1867, Evening

Program Details

Johnny Allen did not perform on Friday or Saturday, as he was dismissed on 03/29/67 for appearing intoxicated on stage. See review in New York Clipper.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels;  Kelly and Leon's Minstrels, ballet troupe;  Johnny Allen [minstrel/variety];  Edwin Kelly
2)
Norma, [burlesque]
aka Grand scene Norma
3)
Cinderleon
aka Cinder-le-on
4)
Black crook, The, [burlesque]
5)
Demon dance
6)
Traveller's trials, The
7)
Troublesome legacy, The
8)
Uncle Simperson
aka Uncle Sim-Person; Uncle Simp

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 24 March 1867.

Some works. Monday is the 70th night of Cinderleon.

2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 25 March 1867.
3)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 27 March 1867.

Other works listed.

4)
Review: New York Herald, 28 March 1867, 7.

“Amusements. Kelly & Leon’s Minstrels. The best of cork-dyed ‘colored [pussons?]’ who perform at the neat little hall 720 Broadway, are, indeed, very funny. They are growing funnier every night; in fact, they have at last become so excessively funny that often, despite their efforts to the contrary, they are compelled to laugh at their own witticisms, and this last appears so ridiculously funny that those who had not laughed before can refrain from doing so no longer and those who laughed before now laugh the more. Cinder-Leon still holds the place upon the bills for the present week, and the gems in the musical olio are of the highest order.”

5)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 30 March 1867, 406.
6)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 30 March 1867, 407.

“The grand burlesque of Norma, introducing the salient points of that classical opera, with the Only Leon, Edwin Kelly, Assistant Druids, Worshipers of the Fluids. . . . 70th night of the unapproachable burlesque of Cinder-Leon, that screaming legacy, and a selection of original vocal music and eccentricities.”

7)
Review: New York Clipper, 06 April 1867, 414.

“The burlesque of ‘Norma’ was given all last week by Leon, of Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels, and is announced for this week. It is decidedly one of Mr. Leon’s best acts, and has been hailed with delight by large audiences. This week a number of new acts are announced, as will be seen by glancing over their advertisement in another column. Johnny Allen is no longer connected with their company, as he was discharged on the 29th, for appearing on the stage drunk. We are pleased to see one establishment at least whose managers will not permit a performer to appear in an intoxicated condition, and insult the public as well as the manager. Instant dismissal is the only way to bring these ‘budgy’ performers to their oats. It keeps the rest of the company so inclined in good condition. Mr. Allen is a good performer, and was a great favorite with the habitués of this establishment, but appearing before them as he did twice last week was poor return for the favor he had previously met with.”