Syerra Class 4-305 Ms. Belfer 1903: In Dahomey Syerra Class 4-305 Ms. Belfer
When:1903 Who: Williams and Walker Where: Harlem New York http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/timex/timeline.htm
What is In Dahomey ? The musical In Dahomey is the first all African American musical, to be on a major Broadway stage. In Dahomey is a musical that took place on Broadway. This musical is a comedy. George Walker and Egbert Austin were the performers and a great vaudeville comedy team. They had the most successful stage partnership in American theater history. George Walker and Egbert Austin decided to meet up in San Francisco in the early 1890’s. Williams and Walker developed their own “Black” humor and company. With many musicals like Clorindy, the Origin of the Cakewalk Sons of Ham, and In Dahomey. In Dahomey was the idea of George Walker. He wanted to use the African elements American Negro background as the theme. On February 18,1903, it was the first full-length black musical comedy that played on Broadway at the New York theater. http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/timex/timeline.htm
How did In Dahomey affect the New York that we live in today? In Dahomey affected the New York that we live in now because this musical brought new humor to New York. This showed that African Americans are capable of joining together and creating a successful musical. In Dahomey was very successful. George Walker wanted to bring a new sense of humor to New York. In Dahomey was a comedy. In Dahomey opened its doors to African American actors, singers and dancers. In Dahomey also affected the New York that we live in now because, after In Dahomey was on Broadway other African American musicals were on Broadway too. Now, in New York African Americans, are very successful. http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/timex/timeline.htm
Websites for Research www.tekmom.com http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/coney/ http://www.iloveny.com/kids/history_post_1900.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City http://www.newyorkhistory.org/ http://home.eznet.net/~dminor/nylinks.html http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/index.html http://www.alexanderhamiltonexhibition.org/ http://www.pocanticohills.org/washington/washington.htm http://Nylearns.org/bbelfer