Today is the birthday of Francis Leon (b. Francis Patrick Glassey, 1844-1883), one of America’s first female impersonators. Trained as an operatic boy soprano, he went on the minstrel stage at age 14, playing wench roles, but bringing a subtlty and accuracy to his portrayals that presaged the style of Julian Eltinge. He also trained [...]
SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 07:23AM on November 21, 2012