I found this program in a downtown Gloucester shop. It states: “We, the members of the Gloucester Service Chest welcome you to our entertainment, an Old Time Minstrel Show, which is given for the benefit of all our own boys in the Armed Forces.” It was held on January 20 1944. I was tickled to see my dad listed (“Patty Ryan” though he was generally known as Paddy) as a performer. My childhood memories of his many performances are full of End Man/ Host duties at variety shows for various charities, so this was perfect.
He must have been only about 16 at this time and it’s gratifying to see that his End Man experiences had a long history. Another cousin, Edna Handran, is listed on the ticket committee so it was a bonus. Some of the other names include Virginia Friend, Priscilla Cahoon, Theresa Sylvester, Buzzy McKinnon, Norman Ball and Lester Bragg. There are others but perhaps some of you recognize these. Presumably the ladies were members of the Junior Women’s Club at the time.
Performances included songs like My Shining Hour, My Heart Tells Me and Pistol Packin’ Mama; and, of course, Yankee Doodle Dandy. You’re humming right now, aren’t you?
Good Morning Gloucester 
great post thank you
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I am singing, and very happy you found this! Our Dad was such a ham. I’ve often wondered when it all started. Now we have a clue! Thank you for this post. I’ll be singing for a while…
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Thank you! I am interested in the history of minstrel shows on Cape Ann. There were several performances in the late nineteenth century. More recently, I think the high school may have featured them during the fifties and early sixties, but would like verification.
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