Black Crook

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Unfinished History

Perfarts$black-crook-actress.jpg

Black Crook actress; note the tights.

THE BLACK CROOK

Generally considered the first truly American musical drama, The Black Crook hit both coasts with the force of a theatrical typhoon. The original 1866 edition played in New York for a record-breaking 475 performances, and within months San Francisco had mounted three knock-offs. A garish fable based on the Faust legend, the show's charms included such glitzy new mechanical effects as an onstage waterfall, plus a platoon of beautiful women in flesh-colored tights.

Perfarts$black-crook-himself.jpg

The Black Crook

Photos: SF Performing Arts Library and Museum


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