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FRANCIS
WILSON PLAYHOUSE
76th Season
Special Spring Season Productions
Music and Lyrics by
Gil Perlroth
8 Performances
June 8th – 18th, 2006
Thursday, Friday & Saturday –
8:00pm
Sundays – 2:00pm
Reserved Seating $23.00
Who
was Francis Wilson? Why don’t we hear more about him? Why was this
theatre named after him? Here’s your opportunity to meet and enjoy the
Francis Wilson, who rose to fame in the 1880’s and still a shining star
on Broadway into the 1920’s. He became the National Fencing Champion in
1876, and went on to be a leading theatre performer and dance man, play
and musical writer, founded an opera company, and was a resident of
Clearwater until his death in 1935. He was the first president of
Actors Equity and the man who raised the funds to build Francis Wilson
Playhouse in 1935. Written especially for FWP by Gil Perlroth, and
performed for the first time at FWP, it is a lively musical with a cast
of 40+.
Cigar Card featuring Francis Wilson
Born in Philadelphia in 1854. In the "Essence of Old Virginny" as
a dancer, he made his first appearance. In 1877, was general
utility man at the Walnut Street Theater; in 1883 became well known in
"Pinafore." Then became leading comedian with the McCaull Opera Co. His
creation of Cadeaux in "Erminie." made him famous. Eminently
successful in many musical successes and "The Bachelor's Baby,"
his own play.
WHO WAS
FRANCIS WILSON? Click here to open pdf file
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