This collection contains approx. 150 scripts of burlesque sketches and 9 audio recordings of interviews and performances compiled by Ralph G. Allen and his colleague John Ulrich in a 1962 project funded by the Charles E. Merrill Faculty Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Materials were drawn from the personal recollections and records of Jess Mack, Billy "Cheese and Crackers" Hagan ("baggy pants" comedian), Billy Foster, Irving Harman, and Jack Coyle.
Language
English
.
Author
Colleen Reilly.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Biography
Ralph G. Allen (1934-2004), was born in Philadelphia and graduated summa cum laude from Amherst College in 1955. In 1960 he received the Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Yale University School of Drama where he held the MCA Fellowship in Playwriting and was a John Golden Fellow. In 1965 he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. His alma mater, Amherst College, awarded him a Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 1980.
A former University of Pittsburgh faculty member, Allen was a writer, director, teacher, historian , and theatrical advisor who served the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, UCLA, the University of Victoria, New York University School of the Arts, The University of Tennessee, and Queens College.
While in residence at the University of Pittsburgh, Allen collaborated with Professor John Ulrich with the aid of a Charles E. Merrill Faculty Fellowship, to compile Burlesque sketches from comedian Billy Hagan's personal collection and interviews from performers Billy Foster, Bert Carr, Maxie Furman, Irving Harman, Jack Coyle, and Billy "Cheese and Crackers" Hagan.
Allen co-conceived the Tony awarding winning musical, Sugar Babies, and frequently published scholarly articles on the burlesque. His play, A Horse of a Different Color, premiered at the Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Scope and Content Notes
Series I contains a collection of burlesque skits compiled from the personal records of Jess Mack of Boston, an agent and former Burlesque Performer. Series II contains audio recordings of burlesque performances of Billy Hagan, Frank X. Silk, Lou Browne, Floyd Hallicy and interviews with Billy Hagan, Billy Foster, Irving Harman, and Jack Coyle.
Arrangement
Series I. Burlesque skits
Series II. Audio reels
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Ralph G. Allen in 1972.
Previous Citation
Ralph G. Allen Burlesque Collection, ca. 1905-1962, CTC.1972.02, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh
Ralph G. Allen Burlesque Collection, ca. 1905-1962, CTC.01, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Ralph G. Allen Burlesque Collection, ca. 1905-1962, CTC.1972.02, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Curtis Theatre Collection Staff in 1972. Collection inventory re-engineered by Colleen Reilly in February 2007.
Copyright
Ralph G. Allen controls publication and performance rights.
