Antoinette Perry

Antoinette Perry

Infobox Actor

name = Antoinette Perry
birthdate = June 27, 1888
birthplace = Denver, Colorado
deathdate = June 28, 1946 (aged age|1888|6|27|1946|6|28)
deathplace = New York City, New York
spouse = Frank W. Frueauff (1909-1922)

(Mary) Antoinette Perry (June 27, 1888June 28, 1946), was an actress, director, and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing. The Tony Awards are her namesake.

Born in Denver, Colorado, she spent her childhood aspiring to replicate the thespian artistry of her aunt and uncle, both of whom were well-respected touring actors. She appeared opposite David Warfield in "Music Master" in 1906 when she was only eighteen years old. Her career was on the rise, yet she left the stage a star in 1909, to marry Denver businessman Frank W. Frueauff and start a family. Years later, her daughters would follow in her footsteps, likewise pursuing careers in the theatre, Elaine as a producer and Margaret as a stage manager.

Following Frank Frueauff's death in 1922, Perry returned to the stage, appearing notably in Kaufman & Ferber's "Minick". She took up directing in 1928. In partnership with Brock Pemberton she produced several successful plays, including: "Divorce Me Dear", "Ceiling Zero", "Red Harvest", "Strictly Dishonorable", "Personal Appearance" (Lawrence Riley's breakthrough hit), and "Kiss the Boys Goodbye". Their most famous production was probably the Pulitzer Prize-winning Mary Chase classic "Harvey", which enjoyed moderate success on Broadway and lasting success as a film, both starring Jimmy Stewart. Perry died from a heart attack during the play's lengthy Broadway run on June 28, 1946.

Perry helped found, and was chairman of the board and secretary of, the American Theatre Wing, which operated the Stage Door Canteens during World War II, providing entertainment to servicemen in several American cities. After her death, her friends and colleagues took action to memorialize her contribution to the high standards of American theatre. Brock Pemberton suggested that the American Theatre Wing create a series of awards to be given in her honor. Since 1947, the Antoinette Perry Awards have been given annually for distinguished achievement in theatre, and are one of the theatre world's most coveted honors. They are universally known by their nickname, the Tony Awards.

External links

* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=4152 Antoinette Perry's Gravesite]
* [http://www.americantheaterwing.com/tony/history_of_the_tony_awards.php Antoinette Perry's biography at the American Theatre Wing website]
* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9125925?query=Perry%2C%20Antoinette&ct= Antoinette Perry's biography at the "Encyclopaedia Britannica" website]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Antoinette Perry — Mary Antoinette Perry (* 27. Juni 1888 in Denver, Colorado; † 28. Juni 1946 in New York, N.Y.) war eine US amerikanische Schauspielerin, Regisseurin und Mitbegründerin der Theatervereinigung American Theatre Wing. Nach ihr ist der Tony Award… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Antoinette Perry Award — Der Tony Award, eigentlich der Antoinette Perry Award, ist ein seit 1947 jährlich vergebener US amerikanischer Theater und Musicalpreis, der als wichtigster amerikanischer Theaterpreis gilt. Er gilt deshalb als Äquivalent zum Oscar (für Filme),… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mary Antoinette Perry — (* 27. Juni 1888 in Denver, Colorado; † 28. Juni 1946 in New York, N.Y.) war eine US amerikanische Schauspielerin, Regisseurin und Mitbegründerin der Theatervereinigung American Theatre Wing. Nach ihr ist der Tony Award benannt. Antoinette Perry… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Perry (disambiguation) — Perry is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented pear juice.Perry may also refer to:* Perry (album), by American singer Perry Como * Perry (car), a pre–World War I British car maker * Perry Drug Stores, a defunct drugstore chain in the United… …   Wikipedia

  • Perry (Familienname) — Perry ist ein Familienname. Der Name Perry stammt aus England und bezeichnete die Herkunft des Namensträgers. Der Name leitet sich aus dem Alt Englischen Wort pirige oder pyrige dem Birnenbaum ab und bezeichnet jemanden als Hüter des/der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Perry, Antoinette — ▪ American actress and director in full  Mary Antoinette Perry  born June 27, 1888, Denver, Colo., U.S. died June 28, 1946, New York, N.Y.       American actress and director in whose honour the American theatre s Tony Awards are named.… …   Universalium

  • Perry, Antoinette — (1888 1946)    Born in Denver, Colorado, Antoinette Perry made her acting debut at age 17 in 1905, appearing in Lady Jim (1906) and A Grand Army Man (1907) before marrying wealthy businessman Frank Freauff in 1909. She retired until his death in… …   The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater

  • Perry,Antoinette — Per·ry (pĕrʹē), Antoinette. 1888 1946. American actress and director. The Antoinette Perry Awards, or Tony Awards, are named for her. * * * …   Universalium

  • Perry Como — on The Perry Como Show set, 1956. Background information Birth name Pierino Ronald Como …   Wikipedia

  • Antoinette Des Houlières — Antoinette de Lafon de Boisguérin des Houlières ou Deshoulières[1], née Antoinette du Ligier de la Garde vers 1634 à Paris, décédée le 17 février 1694, est un …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”