All stories by Trav S.D. on BroadwayStars

Friday, November 8, 2024

Romanticism: From the “Noble Savage” to Buffalo Bill by Trav S.D.

November is Native American History Month; next year (2025) will mark the 350th anniversary of King Phillip’s War, the beginning of the end for the native people as the dominant polity …

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 02:31AM

A Proper Post on June Havoc by Trav S.D.

I’ve taken an unconscionably long time in generating a dedicated post on June Havoc ( Ellen Evangeline Hovick, 1912-2010). I’m sure it’s because she was mentioned in my post about her…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 02:31AM
Thursday, November 7, 2024

The Dutch, Deal-Making, and The Defeat of the Delaware, or What Became of New York’s Native Americans by Trav S.D.

November is Native American History Month; next year (2025) will mark the 350th anniversary of King Phillip’s War, the beginning of the end for the native people as the dominant polity …

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 07:54AM

Happy Birthday, Alice Bag by Trav S.D.

Man, am I grateful that today is the birthday of Alice Bag (Alicia “Alice” Armendariz, b. 1958). This is an especially good time to celebrate a radical Mexican punk woman, not that there…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 07:54AM
Wednesday, November 6, 2024

On the Well-Groomed Gordon Westcott by Trav S.D.

Thanks, Eve Golden, for making me aware of Gordon Westcott (Myrthus Hansen Hickman, 1903-1935) about a year ago. Oh, I’d seen plenty of his movies, but I’d not noted the name. Essentiall…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 03:42AM

More on Jamestown and the Fate of the Powhatans by Trav S.D.

November is Native American History Month; next year (2025) will mark the 350th anniversary of King Phillip’s War, the beginning of the end for the native people as the dominant polity …

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 03:42AM
Tuesday, November 5, 2024

For Election Day: On Some Problematic Presidents by Trav S.D.

November is Native American History Month; next year (2025) will mark the 350th anniversary of King Phillip’s War, the beginning of the end for the native people as the dominant polity …

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 10:24AM

R.I.P. Jonathan Haze by Trav S.D.

Thanks, Eve Golden, for passing along the intel about the passing of Jonathan Haze (Jack Schachter, 1929-2024). You may think there’s something kind of wrong about eulogizing him here toda…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 09:24AM
Monday, November 4, 2024

Of Walter Cronkite and Show Business by Trav S.D.

How perfect that Walter Cronkite (1916-2009) shared a birthday with Will Rogers, for they were both among the most trusted, beloved and admired Americans of their day. Cronkite was the ancho…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 12:36PM

A Will Rogers Finding Aid by Trav S.D.

November is Native American History Month; next year (2025) will mark the 350th anniversary of King Phillip’s War, the beginning of the end for the native people as the dominant polity …

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 03:48AM
Sunday, November 3, 2024

Poking Holes in “Pocohontas” by Trav S.D.

November is Native American History Month; next year (2025) will mark the 350th anniversary of King Phillip’s War, the beginning of the end for the native people of this continent. I’…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 10:24AM
Saturday, November 2, 2024

A Brief But Painful Overview of the Indian Wars by Trav S.D.

November is Native American History Month; next year (2025) will mark the 350th anniversary of King Phillip’s War, the beginning of the end for the native people of this continent. I’m …

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 03:02PM

A Thing or Two About Ohio by Trav S.D.

My inability to locate what I deem to be a single interesting image of historical Ohio gives the lie I guess to what was to have been my intended thesis for National Ohio Day, that the Bucke…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 01:36PM
Friday, November 1, 2024

A New Series for Native American History Month and the 350th Anniversary of King Philip’s War by Trav S.D.

November is Native American History Month; next year (2025) will mark the 350th anniversary of King Phillip’s War, the beginning of the end for the native people of this continent. I’m m…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 09:31AM
Thursday, October 31, 2024

RIP Kathleen Hulser by Trav S.D.

I was very distressed to learn today of the death of an old friend. I’m startled to realize that she was indeed that — I’ve known Kathleen Hulser for a quarter of a century. Kathleen w…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 09:31PM

RIP Paul Morrissey by Trav S.D.

Paul Morrissey (1938-2024) passed away a few days ago; I decided to hold his tribute for today (Halloween), as it seemed most appropriate for a man who had directed his own takes on Frankens…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 10:54AM
Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Sikoryak’s Constitution by Trav S.D.

Don’t get too excited! The show advertised above is from a quarter century ago. We share the image for two reasons: 1) In celebration of the Halloween season, and 2) it was designed by the…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 01:02PM

Now Boarding the Jefferson Airplane by Trav S.D.

There are performing artists of older vintage I could treat of today, but none of them get me as jazzed as Grace Slick (b. 1939), nor are any of them as witchy. I love that she was born on H…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 12:02PM
Tuesday, October 29, 2024

The Maniacal McMahons: Four Generations of a Wrestling Dynasty by Trav S.D.

October 29 was the birthday of a now obscure sports promoter named Jess McMahon (Roderick James McMahon Sr, 1882-1954). In the final analysis I revile the influence his family has had on thi…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 10:02AM

A Fanny Brice Finding Aid by Trav S.D.

In celebration of Fanny Brice’s birthday, we inaugurate this new finding aid to help you navigate posts related to the great star of stage, screen, and radio. We hope you find it useful! M…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 06:48AM

80 Years Ago: Harold Lloyd and Old Gold Comedy Theater by Trav S.D.

Here’s an even more obscure pocket of an already forgotten cul-de-sac of show business history! While there was nearly a decade between Harold Lloyd’s last starring comedy Professor Bewa…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 05:42AM
Monday, October 28, 2024

Happy National Immigrants Day by Trav S.D.

Thank you, Donald Trump, for reminding everyone who you really are last night, by returning to the symbolically freighted site of the 1939 Nazi Rally (Madison Square Garden) in order to reli…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 09:54AM
Sunday, October 27, 2024

The Performances of Dylan Thomas by Trav S.D.

In 2019 and 2020 it looked very much like New York’s White Horse Tavern was going to close, and as so many joints shuttered for good during the Covid pandemic, it seemed destined to be ano…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 10:02AM
Saturday, October 26, 2024

The Show Biz Legacy of C.W. Post by Trav S.D.

You’ll have noticed that in recent months we have drifted into doing more posts about American corporations and brands. I just want to assure you that our mission hasn’t shifted. This th…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 03:36PM

The Love Boat Sails Again by Trav S.D.

We have multiple reasons for today’s addendum to our previous 2018 post on The Love Boat. One is that, once again, it is Lauren Tewes’ birthday. She gets the honors because she alone amo…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 08:02AM
Friday, October 25, 2024

The Adventures of Admiral Byrd (and His Son) by Trav S.D.

During its 1933-34 season, CBS Radio listeners were treated to one of the most remarkable broadcast programs of all time: The Adventures of Admiral Byrd, a weekly 15 minute dispatch by Rear …

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 09:06AM
Thursday, October 24, 2024

Peace Out: On Some Quakers in Popular Culture by Trav S.D.

Quaker Founder George Fox (1624-1691) was born 400 years ago this year; William Penn (1644-1718) was born 20 years later, on this day. I am descended from Quakers on both sides of my family.…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 01:24PM
Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Deconstructing “Dumbo” (1941) by Trav S.D.

Believe it or not, this is my first post dedicated to single Walt Disney feature. I’ve given many of them attention on Travalanche, but usually in the context of broader topics. I’m goin…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 07:48AM
Tuesday, October 22, 2024

A Century of Chef Boyardee by Trav S.D.

Far be it from me to besmirch the fine name of Boyardee, but we know what we know. I’m not here to endorse this unpalatable family of products. I’m a culinary barbarian and even I am too…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 09:02AM
Monday, October 21, 2024

The Story of the Can-Can by Trav S.D.

October 21, 1858 marked the world premiere of Offenbach’s opera Orphée aux enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld). Its culminating piece of music, the “galop infernal” was to become the c…

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 04:54AM
Sunday, October 20, 2024

Will Rogers Jr: Also a Great American by Trav S.D.

William Vann Rogers (1911-1993) was one of those rare juniors who outgrew the shadow of a great father and became his own man, becoming mighty valuable himself. In Rogers case he managed to …

SOURCE: Trav S.D. at 12:06PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic