Urylee Leonardos

Urylee Leonardos (May 14, 1910 – April 25, 1986) was an American vocalist and actress who appeared frequently on Broadway. She has the distinction of being the first black performer to understudy and go on for a Latina in a Broadway production. She filled in for Yma Sumac in the role of Princess Najla in the 1951 production of Flahooley.[1]

Urylee Leonardos
A light-skinned woman with coiffed curly dark hair and glamor makeup, wearing pearls
Urylee Leonardos, from a 1949 newsmagazine
Born(1910-05-14)May 14, 1910
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
DiedApril 25, 1986(1986-04-25) (aged 75)
New York City, United States
Occupation(s)singer, actor
Years active1939–1976
SpouseKenneth Bacon

Biography

Leonardos appeared in Mike Todd's Gay New Orleans revue at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. Later that year, she had a small role on Broadway in The Male Animal.[1]

Her big break came in 1943, when she was cast in the musical Carmen Jones. Initially cast in a small role, Leonardo took over the lead in the 1946 revival of the production.[1]

Leonardos filled in for Yma Sumac as Princess Najla in the 1951 production, Flahooley. It was the first time that a black performer stepped into a role played by a Latina on Broadway.[1] She also played the female lead in the 1953 revival of Porgy and Bess.[2]

Selected credits

Theatre
Year Production Role(s) Theatre(s) Notes
1956 Bells Are Ringing[3] Ensemble Sam S. Shubert Theatre
1953 Porgy and Bess[2] Bess Ziegfeld Theatre Revival. Alternated role with Leontyne Price
1952 Shuffle Along[4] Laura Popham Broadway Theatre Revival of the 1920s musical, but set in Northern Italy and New York City in 1945
1951 Flahooley[5] Switchboard Operator, Singer, Najla (understudy) Broadhurst Theatre
1948 Set My People Free[6] Blanche Hudson Theatre Staged by Martin Ritt
1946 Carmen Jones[7] Carmen City Center Revival of 1943 production
1943 Carmen Jones[8] Card Player, Ensemble Broadway Theatre

Motion Pictures
Year Title Role Distributor Notes
1950 No Sad Songs for Me Flora, the Maid Columbia

References
  1. Johnson, John H., ed. (September 25, 1952). "Broadway's most-jinxed performer". Jet. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. 2 (22): 58–61.
  2. "Porgy and Bess". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  3. Opening night playbill
  4. "Shuffle Along". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  5. "Flahooley". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  6. "Set My People Free". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  7. "Carmen Jones". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  8. "Carmen Jones". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.


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