May Parker's Little Pickaninnies and Concert Co.

              MAY PARKER'S
 LITTLE PICKANINNIES AND CONCERT CO.

Figure




KARLE LITHO. CO. ROCHESTER, N.Y.




ASSOCIATE MEMBER AMERICAN LYCEUM UNION 
S.B. Hershey Pres't & Gen'l Mgr.
 ROCHESTER. N.Y.




(Copyrighted by Karl Marshall White, Oct. 2, 1901) EXCLUSIVE CONTROL OF WHITE ENTERTAINMENT BUREAU K. M. WHITE, Mgr. 925, 925A, 926 Colonial Bldg., 100 Boylston St., Boston, Mass.





May Parker's Little Pickaninnies and Concert Company
A Word from Miss Parker

TO THE PUBLIC:
—




IT is with a feeling of satisfaction and pride that I present my Company for the season of 1902-3.  I feel warranted in saying that it will surpass the fondest expectation of my friends and the most critical audiences.  The 
CONCERT COMPANY
 has been greatly strengthened—as a glance at the personnel will show.  Miss Lillian Pierce, America's foremost lady reader, has been engaged for this special tour; Miss Florence Beckett, for several seasons flute soloist with the Boston Ladies' Symphony Orchestra, has resigned her position with that organization, to become a member of this Company.  Miss Beckett has no superiors in this country.  Mr. Price, pianist and accompanist, is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, and an artist in his line.  I feel doubly fortunate in being able to announce the re-engagement of Miss Bertha Webb, who, since the death of Camilla Urso, should in my judgment be accorded the position at the head of all lady violinists in the world.  Little Phil, the Miniature Comedian, remains with the Company and will have the assistance of Richard, the famous boy soprano, and Alexander Walker, contralto.




Many new and novel surprises which have been especially arranged for this Company will be introduced.  I desire to thank the press and public for the encouragement they have given me in my attempt to present a clean, wholesome novelty; and that it has been a success is shown by the personal letters and press notices which are to follow; and to assure my friends that, although I shall not travel with the Company during the coming season, it will receive my 
constant attention
 before and after starting upon its tour, and will be the equal of or superior to any attraction ever presented in the Lyceum field.




Yours merrily,
MAY PARKER.



FigureMay Parker



LITTLE PHIL



IT is with pleasure that we announce the Miniature Comedian, 
Little Phil,
 the pocket edition of all the great humorists.  He is also the possessor of a pure soprano voice and sings with an ease and abandonment that is refreshing.



Figure
Little Phil



Figure
Little Phil






Triumphant Tour 1901-2
Echoes from Press and Public

May Parker's Little Pickaninnies and Concert Co. are great entertainers.  A splendid performance.—


Salem (Mass.) News.




Every seat in the house was sold, and people were standing.  Entertainment a grand success.  People delighted.  Certainly it was a big hit.  Applause after applause greeted 
Little Phil.
  Many people say Bertha Webb is equal to Leonora Jackson.
—
Edwin H. Forbes, Ph. D., Torrington, Conn.




May Parker's Little Pickaninnies and Concert Co. the most attractive of the entire season's events at the Newton Club.—


Boston (Mass.) Herald.




The most artistic, high-class, and generally superior entertainment ever given in town.—


Danvers (Mass.) Mirror.




The entertainment given by May Parker's Little Pickaninnies and Concert Co. was the greatest treat presented to our citizens for many seasons.  The Opera House was packed.—


Waterbury (Vt.) Record.




Your Pickaninnies are all right.
—
J. T. Maylott, Y. M. C. A., Beverly, Mass.




Their program is delightful and has a charm which is unique.
—
Thomas S. Cline, Y. M. C. A., Middletown, Conn.




May Parker's Pickaninnies and Concert Co. surpassed our expectations.  Every number on the program was a gem.—


Wimodaughsians, Canisteo, N. Y.




They gave us a fine entertainment.
—
Wm. Howard, A.O.U.W., Woonsocket, R. I.




We all were charmed with the entire company.
—
W. E. Thomas, Swanton, Vt.




Figure
That Watermelon



Figure
Little Phil



Figure
Southern Melody



You have reason to be proud of them.  All were delighted.  Would like them again.
—
W. F. Maylott, Y.M.C.A., Keene, N. H.




Nothing but praise is to be heard to-day.  All say 
It's the best yet!
  and that means a great deal coming right after Leonora Jackson.
—
E. T. Salisbury, Randolpb, Vt.




The Company is great.  Best we ever had for an all-round good program.  Would like them again before the season closes.
—
Harland Vaughan, Y.M.C.A., Spring field, Mass.




The Pickaninnies are all right.  Concert Company even better.  All were delighted.
—
W. R. Maguire, Thomaston, Conn.




I have heard only praise.  People are very emphatic in pronouncing it one of the best entertainments ever given in Chatham.
—
Ida G. Darrow, Chatham, N. Y.




Your Pickaninnies have been here, and I find them O. K.  Took our people by storm.  Have you any open dates?
—
C. S. McGown, Y. M. C. A., St. Johnsbury, Vt.




The fun was clean cut and lively.  The music was of high artistic order.  The entertainment was unique and nothing better could have been selected for an opener.  A second appearance would crowd our largest hall.
—
Geo. W. Penniman, Y. M. C. A., Clinton, Mass.




I have heard nothing but praise for the May Parker Co.
—
H. A. Nichols, Binghamton, N. Y.




The entertainment was one of the best ever presented by the Joint Society.—


Livingstone Democrat, Geneseo, N. Y.




Pickaninnies immense.  Entire program gave great satisfaction.
—
Noel H. Jacks, Y. M. C. A., Hartford, Conn.




Very fine.  A program of exceptional merit.  
Little Phil
 is a whole team in himself.—


Amesbury Daily News.




Miss Bertha Webb, violinist, won all hearts.  The Pickaninnies captivated the audience.  The attendance was exceptionally large.—


Manchester (N. H.) Daily Union.




The Pickaninnies took the house by storm.  Bertha Webb's rendition of 
Annie Laurie
 will be long remembered as one of the most beautiful musical selections ever heard here.—


Bristol, N. H.








LILLIAN PIERCE
 (Mrs. Hennigar)

Reader

Figure




MISS PARKER takes great pleasure in announcing, as a strong addition to her Company, 
LILLIAN PIERCE
, Boston's finest reader.  Miss Pierce has been an instantaneous 
hit
 with the public ever since making her début.  We believe we are not exaggerating the truth when we present her as the most accomplished lady reader in this country.  So much faith have we in her ability that we have already signed a contract with her for the season of 1903-4, when we shall place her at the head of a company bearing her own name.




We would kindly call your attention to a few of her many press notices:—




Lillian Pierce made her first appearance as a reciter before an Attleboro audience, and literally 
carried the house by storm.
—


The Attleboro (Mass.) Echo.




It was the unanimous opinion of all present that Miss Pierce, the reader, was the finest ever heard in Laconia.—


Manchester Union.




Lillian Pierce is an artist, in her line of work, who challenges comparison.  She is absolutely free from mannerism, elocutionary effort, and staginess; besides, she possesses magnetism and remarkable power of mimicry.—


Boston (Mass.) Sunday Post.




Lillian Pierce was at her best, and well sustained her reputation of being Natick's favorite reader.—


Natick (Mass.) Bulletin.




As a reader Lillian Pierce is among the finest ever heard here, and her selections were remarkably well chosen.—


The Bucksport (Me.) Herald.




Miss Pierce fairly charmed the audience, and she was recalled again and again.  She has a fine presence, and is an elocutionist of rare ability.—


Waverly Free Press, Waverly, N. Y.




Lillian Pierce took the audience by storm.—


Pittsfield, (Mass.) Eagle.




Miss Pierce, as a reader, is too well known to require praise, her wonderful power of character portrayal having made her a favorite wherever she has appeared.—


Somerville Citizen.




Lillian Pierce is the finest artist in her line that has been heard for a long time.  Her selections were popular and bright, and she received many enthusiastic recalls.—


Bangor (Me.) Daily News.





May Parker and her Little Pickaninnies are all right.  Every seat in the house was sold and many standing.  It was a record breaker.  Never before since the Opera House was opened has this occurred.
—
F. M. Elliott, Hamilton, N. Y.




The people pronounce it the best of the series thus far in the Y. M. C. A. course.—


Utica press, Utica, N. Y.




Every performer was a star.  The best performance ever given here.—


Millerton (N. Y.) Telegram.




Miss Bertha Webb, violinist, was the best ever heard in town.  The entire entertainment was highly appreciated.—


Chelsea (Vt.) Herald.




No finer attraction ever appeared in Dunkirk.  Too much praise cannot be given the whole performance.—


Dunkirk (N. Y.) Herald.




At no time during the evening did the effervescent humor of the entertainers grow dull or prosy.—


Lowell, Mass.




May Parker's Little Pickaninnies and Concert Co. scored another great success at Memorial Hall, Friday evening.  Every seat filled, camp chairs in the aisles, and some standing.—


Millbrook (N. Y.) Round Table.




May Parker's Pickaninnies and Concert Co. were received with much enthusiasm.—


Woonsocket (R. I.) Reporter.




May Parker's Pickaninnies and Concert Co. were received with great favor.—


Jamaica Plain News.




The hall rang with alternating laughter and applause.  
Little Phil
 the miniature comedian, a mite of black humanity, convulsed everybody.—


Clinton Courant.




Figure
The Drum Corps




Figure

Dick



Figure

On an Outing




Little Phil
 took the house by storm.  Entire Company delighted large and appreciative audience.—


Torrington (Conn.) Register.




Miss Bertha Webb gave the finest exhibition of violin solos that ever has been heard here.  The Company was first class in every respect.  The Pickaninnies created no end of fun.—


Antrim (N. H.) Reporter.




The program was original and unique.  Miss Bertha Webb's violin playing was encored again and again.—


New Haven, Conn.




May Parker's Pickaninnies and Concert Co. caught the crowd at the Y. M. C. A. Star Course concert last evening.  Miss Parker has the cutest and brightest set of darky lads that one could imagine.—


Beverly, Mass., Y. M. C. A.




May Parker and her Pickaninnies more than pleased the audience last night.  To quote the words of one of the audience, 
it was fine.
  The Pickaninnies were great.—


Mt. Carmel, Pa.




The local managers of the entertainment course are to be congratulated in securing so high class and yet such a novel entertainment.—


Barre, Vt.




The entire performance was first class, novel, and entertaining.  One of the best ever given in town.—


Middlebury (Vt.) Record.




Probably the most thoroughly enjoyed entertainment thus far in the Y. M. C. A. Star Course was that given by May Parker's Little Pickaninnies and Concert Co.  It is a novelty and a mighty clever one.  
Little Phil
 is deserving of great praise.  Miss Bertha Webb is certainly a master of her instrument.  Her playing was the best that has been heard by a Johnstown audience for a long time.  The company will be welcomed gladly in this city another time.—


Johnstown (N. Y.) Republican.




The hall was filled to its utmost capacity, not even standing room being left.  Every number was encored.—


Lakeville (Conn.) Journal.







BERTHA WEBB, 
Violiniste




Figure

The Bugle and Drum Corps



T
HIS talented young 
violiniste
 was born in Maine.  From her earliest infancy she showed a passionate fondness for music.  So precocious was she, that at the early age of twelve she was playing before admiring audiences in her native State as the 
Child 
Violinistc.
  She has been under the instruction of the best violinists in this country, including Profs.  Eichberg and Listemann, of Boston, the late Dr. Damrosch and Prof. Dannreuther, of New York City, and latterly with Madame Camilla Urso.




She is a great favorite with the musical public, having toured the country with concert companies of highest merit, notably 
Innes' famous concert band
 and 
The Faydette Orchestra.
  An artist of real genius, a magnetic player of fire and brilliancy.




We are indeed fortunate in being able to secure her for the coming season.





LEON PRICE, 
Pianist and Baritone



W
E are negotiating with Leon Price, pianist and baritone, who will assume the directorship of the Company.  Mr. Price is an accomplished musician and a graduate of one of the leading schools of Boston.  He has the true touch of an artist and is a most valuable addition to this strong Company.




Our Advertising
 will surpass that of any attraction we have to offer.  Beautifully colored lithographs in addition to the usual line.




Figure


Characteristic Song




Press Notices



She plays as though inspired.—


St. Paul Globe.




Her selections were enthusiastically received.—


Boston Globe.




She plays with brilliant perfection of technique.—


New York Tribune.




She completely won her audience and was heartily 
encored.
—


Toronto Mail.




Miss Webb astonished her audience by her phenomenal vituosity.—


Chicago Tribune.




Her tone is large and pure, and altogether she is a remarkable player.—


Baltimore American.




Dainty little Miss Webb was the one who captivated the audience.—


St. Louis Globe Dispatch.





THE PERSONNEL



BERTHA WEBB, 
Violinist


FLORENCE BECKETT, 
Flutist


LILLIAN PIERCE, 
Reader


LEON PRICE, 
Pianist and Baritone


LITTLE PHIL, 
Comedian


and HIS ASSOCIATE PICKANINNIES




MR.
 K. M. 
WHITE
.




Dear Sir:
 — The members of the Newton Club expressed great appreciation with regard to the creditable and pleasing concert given by May Parker's Little Pickaninnies at the Club on the evening of January 15.




Yours truly,

MORTON
 E. 
COBB
, 
Chairman Entertainment Com.





Figure

So Dainty





MISS FLORENCE BECKETT
 
Flute Soloist



FigureMiss Florence Beckett



Miss Beckett, the flutist, should be commended for her beautiful tone and her certainty and clearness in execution, especially the former.  It is difficult to see how a flute could give a more mellow and lucious tone.—


Quebec City, 1901.




The best solo of the evening was the one on the flute by Miss Florence Beckett.  The variations of that old favorite, 
Come Back to Erin,
 were beautifully played, and her encore was the popular song, 
The Sweetest Story Ever Told.
—


Evening Times-Republican, Marshalltown, Ia.




Miss Florence E. Beckett, of Boston, the flute soloist, is one of the very finest in America.—


Illinois State Register, Spring field, Sept. 30, 1896.




Miss Florence Beckett enthralls her audience with the flute.  She held them spellbound until the last note died away, and was enthusiastically encored.—


Birmingham, Ala.




A flute solo by Miss Florence Beckett was exquisitely done.  The fair performer showed a mastery of that delicate instrument rarely equaled.—


Spring field, Ill.




The flute solo by Miss Florence E. Beckett was one of the gems of the evening.  Her playing shows her to be master of the instrument and deserving of the vigorous applause given her.—


Elmira Advertiser, Feb. 1, 1902.






MISS BECKETT is a native of Boston and comes from a very musical family.  She has had a wide experience, and for the past six years has occupied the position as flute soloist with the Boston Ladies' Symphony Orchestra.  Press and public endorse her in the strongest terms.  She has a magnetic stage presence and an ease of manner that at once make her a prime favorite.  We feel especially fortunate in being able to secure her for this Company.





Press Notices



Miss Beckett's flute solo was as trippingly and daintily rendered as the roundelay of a bobolink or the spring song of the mockingbird.  She is an absolute master of technique, and plays with a sort of womanly grace that makes the flute particularly attractive.—


Birmingham (Ala.) News.




Figure
Richard, 
the Famous Boy Soprano






Figure
MISS BERTHA WEBB
 
America's Greatest Lady Violinist




THE SPARRELL PRINT, BOSTON