George Lederer

George Lederer (1862 - October 8, 1938, born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was a leading theatrical producer and director on Broadway from 1894 to 1931. He was the father of screenwriter Charles Lederer and daughter Pepi Lederer.

His career began when he joined a touring opera company at age 13, as a soprano singer. When he reached the age of 17, he collaborated with the producer Thomas Canary and leased the Casino Theatre, in New York City. In 1897, at age 25, he produced the musical "The Belle of New York", which became the first American musicals to enjoy enduring success in England, where it ran for over two years.

He was one of the first producers of musical "Revues," in the U.S., when together with Sydney Rosenfeld, he presented "The Passing Show" in 1894. He produced the all-black musical "In Dahomey", with music by Will Marion Cook and lyrics by poet Paul Dunbar. It starred the prominent black vaudeville team of Bert Williams and George Walker. Then crossing the Atlantic, it played for seven months, and received a Royal Command Performance at Buckingham Palace, in England. The cakewalk dance, a highlight of the show, became the rage of the town.