Wednesday, April 12, 2017

My Spring Road Trip - Final Stop: Laurel Highlands

Statue of Rose McClendon at FLW's Fallingwater
The final stop on my Spring road trip - the Laurel Highlands - has nothing to do with theater. But sometimes, even when you are not looking for the theater, it still has a way of finding you. 

After leaving Louisville and cutting through Trump-supporting West Virginia, I finally got a chance to witness the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater and tour the grounds. Even before the guide had a chance to point out Rose McClendon, the 42" cast stone statue created by Richmond Barthé in 1932 grabbed my attention and admiration. Then when the guide noted that Rose McClendon was a Broadway actress from long ago, my interest was piqued. 

When I returned to New York, I consulted Wikipedia, the Broadway database and an Amsterdam News article, and sure enough, Rose McClendon (1884-1936) was an African American leading actress, who appeared in several Broadway productions throughout the '20s and '30s. The Amsterdam News article even refers to her as the First lady of the Black stage. Rose McClendon - a historical figure in American theater. Now, I know...

Rose McClendon's Broadway Cred (Source: IBDB)

  • Deep River (Oct 04, 1926 - Oct 30, 1926)
  • In Abraham's Bosom (Original Prod:Dec 30, 1926 - Jun 1927; Revival: Sep 06, 1927 - Nov 1927 )
  • Porgy (Original Prod: Oct 10, 1927 - Aug 1928; Revival:Sep 13, 1929 - Oct 1929 )
  • The House of Connelly (Sep 28, 1931 - Dec 1931)
  • Never No More (Jan 07, 1932 - Jan 1932)
  • Black Souls (Mar 30, 1932 - Apr 09, 1932)
  • Brain Sweat (Apr 04, 1934 - Apr 1934)
  • Roll, Sweet Chariot (Oct 02, 1934 - Oct ? 1934)
  • Panic (Mar 14, 1935 - Mar 15, 1935)
  • Mulatto (Oct 24, 1935 - Sep 1936)

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