Urylee Leonardos
| Urylee Leonardos | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 14, 1910 Charleston, South Carolina, United States |
| Died |
April 25, 1986 (aged 75) New York, New York, United States |
| Occupation | singer, actor |
| Years active | 1939–1976 |
| Spouse(s) | Kenneth Bacon |
Urylee Leonardos (May 14, 1910 – April 25, 1986) was an American vocalist and actress who appeared frequently on Broadway. She has the distinction of being the first black performer to understudy and go on for a white performer in a Broadway production. She filled in for Yma Sumac in the role of Princess Najla in the 1951 production of Flahooley.[1]
Biography
Leonardos appeared in Mike Todd's Gay New Orleans revue at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. Later that year, she had a small role on Broadway in The Male Animal.[1]
Her big break came in 1943, when she was cast in the musical Carmen Jones. Initially cast in a small role, Leonardo took over the lead in the 1946 revival of the production.[1]
Leonardos filled in for Yma Sumac as Princess Najla in the 1951 production, Flahooley. It was the first time that a black performer stepped into a role played by a white person on Broadway.[1] She also played the female lead in the 1953 revival of Porgy and Bess.[2]
Selected Credits
Theatre
| Year | Production | Role(s) | Theatre(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Porgy and Bess [2] | Bess | Zeigfield Theatre | Revival. Alternated role with Leontyne Price |
| 1952 | Shuffle Along[3] | Laura Popham | Broadway Theatre | Revival of the 1920s musical, but set in Northern Italy and New York City in 1945 |
| 1951 | Flahooley[4] | Switchboard Operator, Singer, Najla (understudy) | Broadhurst Theatre | |
| 1948 | Set My People Free[5] | Blanche | Hudson Theatre | Staged by Martin Ritt |
| 1946 | Carmen Jones[6] | Carmen | City Center | Revival of 1943 production |
| 1943 | Carmen Jones[7] | Card Player, Ensemble | Broadway Theatre |
Motion Pictures
| Year | Title | Role | Distributor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | No Sad Songs for Me | Flora, the Maid | Columbia |
References
- 1 2 3 4 Johnson, John H., ed. (September 25, 1952). "Broadway's most-jinxed performer". Jet. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. 2 (22): 58–61.
- 1 2 "Porgy and Bess". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ↑ "Shuffle Along". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ↑ "Flahooley". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ↑ "Set My People Free". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ↑ "Carmen Jones". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
- ↑ "Carmen Jones". New York, New York: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2011-07-11.
