Vaudeville & Burlesque Revisited at The West End Museum: New Events Enhance ``Old Howard`` Exhibit

Boston, MA–The West End Museum continues to create programs that expand on aspects of its current exhibit, “The Old Howard Theatre.” A documentary on vaudeville and a talk on burlesque convey important moments in the history of these popular entertainment genres, both of which found a home at the beloved and infamous playhouse near the West End. The exhibit of photographs, artifacts, and graphic panels runs through February 15, 2020.

Vaudeville: Voice of the City
Dec. 5 @ 7PM; $10 / Free to Museum Members; Pre-registration required

Vaudeville at the Howard grew out of early variety theater and minstrel shows. Tony Pastor would later coin the term and use it as a moniker for family entertainment. Much of vaudeville’s early popularity grew out of entertainment from English music halls and Yiddish theatre, and it would have a long relationship with the comedic side of burlesque. Exhibit curator Duane Lucia will share a documentary and short video clips portraying the art form, and will lead an exhibit tour. (Media note: Download hi-res images here.)

Burlesque 101
Dec. 19 @ 7PM; $10 / Free to Museum Members; Pre-registration required

As early as 1858, Adah Isaacs Menken — the highest paid actress of her day — would set the stage for what would become modern burlesque. Lydia Thompson and her import of British Blondes would soon follow, along with Michael Leavitt’s female minstrels. And all would perform at the Howard Athenaeum. In the late 1920s, as vaudeville pushed family theatre, burlesque performers started to remove clothing in a more provocative way. So came the birth of striptease, which would ultimately lead to the final curtain call at the Old Howard. Exhibit curator Duane Lucia will share video clips as he traces burlesque’s history and evolution. (Media note: Download hi-res images here.)

Pre-registration links for both events coming soon to thewestendmuseum.org.

About the West End Museum:
The West End Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of the history and culture of the West End  neighborhood. The Museum’s permanent exhibit, “The Last Tenement,” highlights the immigrant history of the neighborhood through its decimation under Urban Renewal in 1959; two additional galleries feature rotating exhibits. The Museum is located  near North Station at 150 Staniford St. Suite 7. Hours: Tuesday – Friday 12:00pm – 5:00pm; Saturday 11:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is free.