Lillian Russell: A Biography of "America's Beauty"

Colorful and boisterous first nights were the rule in New York theaters of the 1880s. Everyone, it seemed, attended, from the rich and powerful to young people who scraped together just enough to buy a ticket. And no star was more popular than Lillian Russell.

At a time when serious plays dominated the stages, Lillian Russell was one of the first to popularize musical theater. With her beauty, voice, and grace, she was the symbol of the new American woman. She used those attributes to attain power, social status and wealth, and then to become one of the earliest champions of women's equality. Her life and career are covered here in detail, with particular emphasis on the way she influenced theater history and popular culture.

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Lillian Russell: A Biography of "America's Beauty"

Colorful and boisterous first nights were the rule in New York theaters of the 1880s. Everyone, it seemed, attended, from the rich and powerful to young people who scraped together just enough to buy a ticket. And no star was more popular than Lillian Russell.

At a time when serious plays dominated the stages, Lillian Russell was one of the first to popularize musical theater. With her beauty, voice, and grace, she was the symbol of the new American woman. She used those attributes to attain power, social status and wealth, and then to become one of the earliest champions of women's equality. Her life and career are covered here in detail, with particular emphasis on the way she influenced theater history and popular culture.

39.95 In Stock
Lillian Russell: A Biography of

Lillian Russell: A Biography of "America's Beauty"

by Armond Fields
Lillian Russell: A Biography of

Lillian Russell: A Biography of "America's Beauty"

by Armond Fields

Paperback

$39.95 
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Overview

Colorful and boisterous first nights were the rule in New York theaters of the 1880s. Everyone, it seemed, attended, from the rich and powerful to young people who scraped together just enough to buy a ticket. And no star was more popular than Lillian Russell.

At a time when serious plays dominated the stages, Lillian Russell was one of the first to popularize musical theater. With her beauty, voice, and grace, she was the symbol of the new American woman. She used those attributes to attain power, social status and wealth, and then to become one of the earliest champions of women's equality. Her life and career are covered here in detail, with particular emphasis on the way she influenced theater history and popular culture.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786438686
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 09/10/2008
Pages: 245
Product dimensions: 6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

The late Armond Fields was a social historian specializing in American popular theater. The author of numerous books about vaudeville and other early theater figures, he lived in Culver City, California.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Introduction     

1. From Prairies to Pastor’s     
2. She Couldn’t Say No     
3. The Prodigal Daughter’s Return     
4. The Queen of Comic Opera     
5. The Queen’s Consorts     
6. Requiem for Comic Opera     
7. Music Hall Days     
8. End of an Era     
9. Her Image Renewed     
10. Old Specialties, New Platforms     
11. God, Mother, Country and Lillian Russell     
12. The Queen Is Dead! Long Live the Queen!     

Performance Chronology     
Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     
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