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
Born	May 14, 1910 Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Died	April 25, 1986 (aged 75) New York City, United States
Occupation	singer, actor
Years active	1939–1976
Spouse(s)	Kenneth 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
1953	Porgy and Bess[2]	Bess	Zeigfield Theatre	Revival. Alternated role with Leontyne Price
1952	Shuffle Along[3]	Laura Popham	Broadway Theatre	Revival of the 1920s musical, but set in Northern Italy and New York City in 1945
1951	Flahooley[4]	Switchboard Operator, Singer, Najla (understudy)	Broadhurst Theatre
1948	Set My People Free[5]	Blanche	Hudson Theatre	Staged by Martin Ritt
1946	Carmen Jones[6]	Carmen	City Center	Revival of 1943 production
1943	Carmen Jones[7]	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. "Shuffle Along". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
4. "Flahooley". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
5. "Set My People Free". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
6. "Carmen Jones". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
7. "Carmen Jones". New York City: Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 11, 2011.

External links

• Urylee Leonardos at the Internet Broadway Database
• Urylee Leonardos at IMDb