A Lykens resident nicknamed “Fat” Gaynor was reported to be a well-known female impersonator who won prizes several years in a row in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade. He performed in the Lykens and Wiconisco Home Town Minstrel Show in March 1925, as indicated in this clipping from the Lykens Standard, February 20, 1925.
TELLING ON THE FEATURE MEN FOR MINSTREL
“Jazzola Spanola,” a mixture of Spanish and Creole comedy dancing is one of the many feature numbers that will be seen with the big L. & W. Home Town Minstrels, March 16 and 17 [1925] at Moose Theatre. “Fat” Gaynor, well-known female impersonator, and winner of prizes in Philadelphia Mummer’s Parade several years in succession, is the Creole stepper in the act. Dean Kissinger as the Spanish Panuchi is the partner strutter. Their stunt is a burlesque on the best steps used by the professional Spanish dancer, Rudolph Valentino.
“The Four Lost Chords” is another feature olio act that will be presented. It is chuck full of clever and clean cut comedy from start to finish and Radio broadcasting will be the main stay of this number.
The Women’s Relief Corps are behind the show with 100 percent cooperation and from all indications the performance will be pushed over with a bang that will be heard thruout the entire valley. Are you going to help them? The first Home Talent Minstrel for over 10 years.
Note: At the time of the writing of this blog post, no other information was available about “Fat” Gaynor. All-white minstrel shows usually featured end men who performed in black-face. The casts also included men who impersonated females as part of comedy routines. The show described above was for the benefit of a bronze tablet to honor Civil War veterans. The tablet was dedicated later in the year. Today, the monument including the tablet can be seen at North Second Street, Lykens.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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