Kelly and Leon's Minstrels

“Conceded by enthusiastic audiences to be the greatest impersonator of female characters ever witnessed. . . . novel and side-splitting selections.”

“Kelly and Leon's Minstrels have certainly made their mark in this city, judging by the very liberal support the public have bestowed upon them. Last week the house was crowded every evening and camp stools were placed in the aisles. This is very unusual for the week after the holidays, for, generally, show shops experience a falling off consequent upon the amount of [illeg.] that is done by the ladies. But the minstrels were not affected by this, or the fact that skating was indulged in by a large majority of young New York. The first part of their entertainment went off neatly. Nelse Seymour fills the bone end lately made vacant by the withdrawal of George Christy, and he keeps his end up very lively. In the olio business, Leon was very laughable as ‘Schmitt with a Y,’ also in ‘Chip of [sic] the Old Block.’ Johnny Allen’s ‘Nicodemus Johnson’ is as good a song and dance as we have seen for some time. ‘New Year’s Calls’ was capitally performed by the company. Little Mac appeared in the first four evenings of the week in ‘The Essence,’ but having come before the audience on one or two evenings in a state that would have warranted them hissing him from the stage, he was discharged on Friday by the management. There is another performer identified with this company who occasionally appears in a muddled condition, and [illeg.] he performs we shall here give his name. No manager should allow his patrons to be insulted by the weakness of any performer.”

“Last night the new operatic burletta by Leon entitled ‘$7,000’ introducing the terzette from Lucrezia, ‘Guai se il fugge un moto,’ was rendered, and formed a new and pleasing addition to the already select and varied bill presented by these artists.”