1. John Kenley was an American theatrical producer who pioneered the use of television stars in summer stock productions.
10 Facts About John Kenley
1. 2.
John Kenley's family had moved several times ahead of the spread of prohibition, finally settling in Erie, Pennsylvania.
3.
John Kenley played the vaudeville circuit throughout the 1920s, dancing, singing, and doing impersonations of Al Jolson, Maurice Chevalier, Ethel Barrymore, and Beatrice Lillie.
4.
From 1928 to 1940, John Kenley worked as an assistant to producer Lee Shubert.
5.
John Kenley estimated he read 1000 scripts during that period and discovered William Saroyan's The Time of Your Life and Lillian Hellman's first play, The Children's Hour.
6.
John Kenley produced The Barretts of Wimpole Street played at the Barnesville theatre in 1950 starring Susan Peters as the invalid Elizabeth Barrett.
7.
John Kenley often rode his bike backstage through the large theaters and was known for putting make-up on his dog, Sadie.
8.
John Kenley often came up with gimmicks to market and sell tickets.
9.
John Kenley died on October 23,2009, aged 103, of pneumonia at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
10.
John Kenley is credited with introducing professional live theater to the Midwest, laying the groundwork for national tours of Broadway productions.