Carrie Reynolds

Carrie Reynolds was a stage actress in Broadway shows from the mid 1880s until the early 20th century. She was described as "a graceful and strking blonde" and "a dainty and winsome actress." She was trained in light opera."Blue Envelope Opens", New York Times, March 14, 1916, pg. 9.] Her married name was Carrie Reynolds Ross.

Leading Lady In Theater

She appeared in a Robson and Crane production of "A Comedy of Errors" staged by the Star Theatre in 1885. Among the physical locations of theplay are the ports and docks of Ephesus. The time frame runs from the very early morning through the twelve hours of the day, continuing untilmoonlight. ["Actor, Manager, and Play", New York Times, August 2, 1885, pg. 3.] Reynolds was associated with the Rogers Brothers'companies for a number of seasons before she sang the prima donna role in "The School Girl". It was presented by Daly's Theatre,"Theaters", Atlanta Constitution, January 20, 1906, pg. 8.] 1221 Broadway (Manhattan) (30th Street), [ [http://www.ibdb.com/venue.aspx?id=1559 IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information ] ] before touring on the road.

She was in the company of "The Newlyweds and Their Baby", a comedy based on the cartoons of George McManus. It premiered at the Majestic TheatreBroadway (Manhattan) ["Display Ad 32--No Title", New York Times, March 21, 1909, pg. X1.] on March 22, 1909. The plot dealt with Mr. and Mrs. Newlywed and Napoleon Newlywed, the baby."Article 16--No Title", New York Times, March 21, 1909, pg 8.] Reynolds depicted "Dolly Jolly", a woman who was coveted by the character played by Fletcher Norton. ["Fun By The Newlyweds", New York Times, March 23, 1909, pg. 9.]

She entered the cast of "In Hayti" in mid September 1909, singing the role of the actress. ["Theatrical Notes", New York Times, September 17, 1909, pg. 9.] Written by John J. McNally, the theatrical was presented by the Montauk Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. The troupe included a chorus of sixty girls and the comedians McIntyre and Heath. ["Article 10-No Title", New York Times, October 31, 1909, pg. SM14.]

Reynolds performed in "King Dodo" at the Plaza Music Hall in July 1910. It was the second week of the Aborn Comic Opera's engagement there. Robert Lett acted the title role with Agnes Finlay among the players. ["Aborn Opera Company Gives King Dodo", July 12, 1910, pg. 7.] Reynolds appeared in "The Red Rose" at the Globe Theatre (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre) in June 1911. ["Plays And Players", New York Times, June 18, 1911, pg. X1.] The venue featured an open roof and a system of cooling the air for comfort on hot summer nights. Valeska Surattstarred in the production. ["First Signs Of Theatrical Activity", New York Times, July 30, 1911, pg. X8.] "The Red Rose" was her final New York appearance in a leading soubrette role.

In November 1911 the cast for "Jacinta", an opera comique by Heinrich Berte, was announced by John Cort. Reynolds was a principal in the company for the play which was to debut in Providence, Rhode Island on November 27. The production first played in Europe under a differenttitle. It was adapted from a book by Ignatz Schnitzer and Emerich von Gatti. ["The Cast for Jacinta", New York Times, November 20, 1911, pg. 11.] In December she retired from the opera comique and entered vaudeville in a single act."Theatrical Notes", New York Times, December 28, 1911, pg. 7.]

She acted with Robert Warwick at theWest End Theatre, [http://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/offbroadwayTheatres/westend.htmin] in "The Kiss Waltz", in March 1912."Week's Bills At Theatres", New York Times, March 19, 1912, pg. 8.] "The Blue Envelope" was staged at the Cort Theatre in March 1916. The comedy was written by Frank Hatch and Robert E. Homans. Walter Jones, Beth Franklyn, Reynolds, and Belle Theodore were some of the actors in the cast. ["The Blue Envelope on March 13", New York Times, March 4, 1916, pg. 9.] As "The Angel", Reynolds was an adventuress whose actions were eventually frustrated. A critic observed that her background in light opera was somewhat of a hindrance in this role. Specifically, she sang all her speeches and her very empty laugh sounded discomforting after a while.

Marriage

Reynolds was married to Fred Griffen Ross, a former actor and business manager for Lillian Russell and other performers. He died at the age of 84 at the Brunswick Home in Amityville, New York. The couple had a daughter, Mrs Ruby Bramall."F.G. Ross, Manager Of Lillian Russell", New York Times, August 19, 1942, pg. 19.] In September 1924 Ross published a public notice in the New York Times.It read "my wife, Carrie Reynolds Ross, having left my room and board, I will no longer be responsible for debts she contracts. ["Public Notices",New York Times, September 21, 1924, pg. 3.]

References

External links

* [http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchresult.cfm?parent_id=1039738&word= Carrie Reynolds] New York Public Library Digital Gallery photos

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