Frolic Theater: Difference between revisions
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In [[1921]] the theater was located alongside the [[Champion Theater]] at 312-314 [[18th Street North]]. By [[1925]] it had moved across the street from the [[Famous Theater]] at 1722 [[4th Avenue North]]. By then it was said to be the finest of the city's black theaters, with its own five-piece orchestra led by [[Henry Callin]] with [[Walter Young]], [[Shead Harris]], [[Fred Moore]] and [[John Ovelton]]. | In [[1921]] the theater was located alongside the [[Champion Theater]] at 312-314 [[18th Street North]]. By [[1925]] it had moved across the street from the [[Famous Theater]] at 1722 [[4th Avenue North]]. By then it was said to be the finest of the city's black theaters, with its own five-piece orchestra led by [[Henry Callin]] with [[Walter Young]], [[Shead Harris]], [[Fred Moore]] and [[John Ovelton]]. | ||
The venue was known for booking major blues acts. The Frolic enjoyed a packed house when it hosted Bessie Smith in [[1923]] and again on [[December 27]], [[1926]]. Ma Rainey performed several nights at the Frolic in [[1925]] (with Bessie Smith in attendance). Other blues performers included Ruby Smith and Lillie Mae Glover. | The venue was known for booking major blues acts. The Frolic enjoyed a packed house when it hosted Bessie Smith in [[1923]] and again on [[December 27]], [[1926]]. Ma Rainey performed several nights at the Frolic in August-September [[1925]] (with Bessie Smith in attendance). Other blues performers included Cleo Gibson, Ruby Smith and Lillie Mae Glover. | ||
In addition, the Frolic hosted Seals & Mitchell's Melody Lane Girls in [[1927]], tapdancer Jack Wiggins, cornet player Lee Collins | In addition, the Frolic hosted Seals & Mitchell's Melody Lane Girls in [[1927]], tapdancer Jack Wiggins, cornet player Lee Collins, comedy duo Butterbeans & Susie (with [[Jo Jones]] on drums) | ||
In [[1928]] [[H. J. Hury]] was manager, with [[Happy Brown|R. B. "Happy" Brown]] as stage manager. | In [[1928]] [[H. J. Hury]] was manager, with [[Happy Brown|R. B. "Happy" Brown]] as stage manager. | ||
The Frolic closed in the mid-1950s and was demolished. The site is presently occupied by a parking lot for the [[Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse]]. | |||
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[[Category:Former cinemas]] | [[Category:Former cinemas]] | ||
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[[Category:Demolished buildings]] | |||
Revision as of 18:48, 15 November 2015
The Frolic Theater was an 850-seat Vaudeville house and cinema, billed as "Birmingham's only colored Vaudeville house" when it was a stop of the Theater Owners Booking Association (T.O.B.A.) circuit in the 1920s. P. A. Engler managed the Frolic for Gay Theater Properties in 1921.
In 1921 the theater was located alongside the Champion Theater at 312-314 18th Street North. By 1925 it had moved across the street from the Famous Theater at 1722 4th Avenue North. By then it was said to be the finest of the city's black theaters, with its own five-piece orchestra led by Henry Callin with Walter Young, Shead Harris, Fred Moore and John Ovelton.
The venue was known for booking major blues acts. The Frolic enjoyed a packed house when it hosted Bessie Smith in 1923 and again on December 27, 1926. Ma Rainey performed several nights at the Frolic in August-September 1925 (with Bessie Smith in attendance). Other blues performers included Cleo Gibson, Ruby Smith and Lillie Mae Glover.
In addition, the Frolic hosted Seals & Mitchell's Melody Lane Girls in 1927, tapdancer Jack Wiggins, cornet player Lee Collins, comedy duo Butterbeans & Susie (with Jo Jones on drums)
In 1928 H. J. Hury was manager, with R. B. "Happy" Brown as stage manager.
The Frolic closed in the mid-1950s and was demolished. The site is presently occupied by a parking lot for the Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse.
References
- "Colored Theaters in Birmingham, Alabama" (December 16, 1922) Billboard
- Collins, Lee, Mary Spriggs Collins, Frank Gillis & John W. Miner (1989) Oh, Didn't He Ramble: The Life Story of Lee Collins. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0252060814
- Smith, Eric Ledell (2003) African American Theater Buildings: An Illustrated Historical Directory, 1900-1955. McFarland Press. ISBN 0786449225