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Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West.

It was a cold evening in the early spring of 1859 when the well-known actress Charlotte Cushman debuted in Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the Metropolitan Theatre in San Francisco. The city’s most wealthy and influential people arrived by carriage. Throngs of curious bystanders eager to see the aristocrat hovered around the walkway leading into the building. The fine, brick edifice rivaled the most notable on the East Coast.

Inside, the grand hall was fitted with the most ornate fixtures and could seat comfortably upwards to a thousand people. From the private boxes to the gallery, every part of the immense building was crowded to excess. Charlotte Cushman was recognized by theatre goers as the “greatest living tragic actress,” and everyone who was anyone wanted to see her perform. Several women had won fame with their impersonations of male characters in various dramas, but critics and fans alike regarded Charlotte as the best of them all.

In 1845, a theatrical reviewer in London had written about one of Charlotte’s performances in glowing terms. “Miss Cushman’s Hamlet must henceforth be ranked among her best performances. Every scene was warm and animated, and at once conveyed the impression of the character. There was no forced or elaborate attempt at feeling or expression. You were addressed by the whole mind; passion spoke in every feature, and the illusion was forcible and perfect.”

The audience that flocked to see the exceptionally talented Charlotte in California was not only treated to a “forcible and perfect” interpretation of Hamlet, but that evening they were also treated to a display of the actress’ temper.

To learn just what caused Charlotte’s temper to explode, how her acting career began, and about the other talented performers of the Old West read

Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West.

You’re invited to attend the national launch of the book

Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West

The launch takes place tomorrow October 17, 2015 at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City, California from Noon-2 p.m. In addition to the book signing and lecture a screening of the short subject film An Ounce Short: The Life and Times of Old West Entertainer Pauline Ogden is scheduled. Refreshments will be served and attendees can register to win an Entertaining Women gift basket. For more information call 530-477-8859.

A portion of the sales of Entertaining Women go to support the museum.

You’re invited to attend the national launch of the book

Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West

The celebration takes place on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City, California from Noon-2 p.m. In addition to the book signing and lecture a screening of the short subject film An Ounce Short: The Life and Times of Old West Entertainer Pauline Ogden is scheduled. Refreshments will be served and attendees can register to win an Entertaining Women gift basket. For more information call 530-477-8859.

You’re invited to attend the national launch of the book

Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West

The launch will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City, California from Noon-2 p.m. In addition to the book signing and lecture a screening of the short subject film An Ounce Short: The Life and Times of Old West Entertainer Pauline Ogden is scheduled. Refreshments will be served and attendees can register to win an Entertaining Women gift basket. For more information call 530-477-8859.

Enter to win a copy of the book

Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West.

Shakespearean actor Edwin Forrest rifled through the desk drawer in the sitting room of the New York home he shared with this wife, socialite turned actress and theatre manager Catherine Norton Sinclair. The contents of the drawer belonged to Catherine, but Edwin wasn’t interested in maintaining her privacy. In his frantic search, he uncovered a worn and rumpled letter written to his bride from fellow thespian, George Jamieson. “And now, sweetest, our brief dream is over; and such a dream!” the correspondence began. “Have we not known real bliss? Have we not realized what poets have to set up as an ideal state, giving full license to their imagination, scarcely believing in its reality? Have we not experienced the truth that ecstasy is not fiction? And oh, what an additional delight to think, no, to know, that I have made some happy hours with you… With these considerations, dearest, our separation, though painful will not be unendurable; I am happy, and with you to remember and the blissful anticipation of seeing you again, shall remain so…” Jamieson’s declaration of his feelings for Catherine ended with a promise to do “my utmost to be worthy of your love.”

Edwin reread the letter with poised dignity and on its completion sank into the nearest chair, cursing the day he had met the woman he had married. After a few moments, he arose and frantically paced about the room. He denounced Catherine for her infidelity and fell to the floor weeping uncontrollably. According to Edwin’s biographer William Rounseville Alger, Edwin was “struck to the heart with surprise, grief, and rage.” Catherine’s take on Edwin’s reaction and the circumstances surrounding her husband reading the letter are vastly different from Alger’s account. Almost from the moment the pair met, Edwin was jealous of everyone Catherine knew in her social standing and did not shy away from making a scene.

Catherine was born near London in 1818 to Scottish parents who had four children in all. Her father, John Sinclair, was a well-known vocalist who had toured America in 1831 and 1833. Historical records note that Catherine was endowed with natural beauty, and, whatever the quality and quantity of her formal and social education, she had in her teens acquired a sparkle and vivacity that attracted men. She was popular and well-liked and attended formal soirees, theatre openings, and art exhibits with a myriad of friends from all walks of life.

To learn more about how Catherine Norton Sinclair’s acting career began and about the other talented performers of the Old West read Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West.

Attend the national launch of the book Entertaining Women on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City, California from Noon-2 p.m. For more information call 530-477-8859.

Enter to win a copy of the book

Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West.

Mary Todd Lincoln screamed. Clara Harris, seated in the balcony adjacent to President Abraham Lincoln’s wife, jumped out of her seat and rushed to the hysterical woman’s side. “He needs water!” Harris cried out to the audience at Ford’s Theatre staring up at her in stunned silence. “The President’s been murdered!” The full, ghastly truth of the announcement washed over the congregation, and the scene that ensued was as tumultuous and as terrible as one of Dante’s pictures of hell. Some women fainted, others uttered piercing shrieks and cries for vengeance, and unmeaning shouts for help burst from the mouth of men. Beautiful, dark-haired actress, Laura Keene hurried out from the wings dressed in a striking, maroon colored gown under which was a hoop skirt and number of petticoats that made the garment sway as she raced to a spot center stage. She paused for a moment before the footlights to entreat the audience to be calm. “For God’s sake, have presence of mind, and keep your places, and all will be well.” Laura’s voice was a brief voice of reason in a chaotic scene. Few could bring their panic under control. Mary Lincoln was in shock and sat on her knees beside her mortally wounded husband rocking back and forth. She cradled her arms in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably.

Laura ordered the gas lights around the theatre turned up. Patrons bolted toward the building’s exits. As they poured out into the streets, they told passersby what had occurred. Crowds began to gather, and there were just as many people coming back into the theatre as were trying to leave. Laura stepped down off the stage and began fighting against the current of people pressing all around her. Word began to pass through the frantic group that John Wilkes Booth was responsible for shooting the President. Sharp words were exchanged between the individuals coming in and going out the building. Insane grief began to course through the theatre, and ugly suppositions started to form. “An actor did this!” Laura wrote in her memoirs about what people were saying at the event. “The management must have been in on the plot! Burn the damn theatre! Burn it now!” Laura disregarded the remarks and somehow worked her way to the rear box where Mr. Lincoln was and stepped inside.

To learn more about Laura Keene and the other talented performers of the Old West read Entertaining Women: Actresses, Dancers, and Singers in the Old West.

Attend the national launch of the book Entertaining Women on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City, California from Noon-2 p.m. For more information call 530-477-8859.