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  • 1865-1910

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The Development of an African-American Musical Theatre 1865-1910

• 1865-1880
• 1880-1890
• 1890-1895
• 1896-1899
• 1900-1905
• 1906-1910

1890-1895

The Creole Show (1890-1897)

• Johnson and Dean: I Want to Play Hamlet

In the early 1890s, the traditional minstrel format began to change, as elements of vaudeville began to be incorporated. Women appeared as featured performers and were often elegantly costumed and attractively presented. The Creole Show was the first of this type to be presented, touring from 1890 to 1897; Sam Lucas was involved in its early years. Later performers included the cakewalk dancers Charles Johnson and Dora Dean; Ernest Hogan appeared for many years with the show.

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  [Detail] "Coon, Coon, Coon." Dora Dean and Charles Johnson. 1899.