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Cherry SistersVaudeville group
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- The Cherry Sisters Biography
- Formation of the Cherry Sisters
- Controversial Performances
- Broadway and Legal Battle
- Life After Vaudeville
The Cherry Sisters Biography
The Cherry Sisters, also known as Addie, Effie, Ella, Lizzie, and Jessie Cherry, were a vaudeville group from Marion, Iowa. They gained notoriety for their incredibly poor quality performances and the angry reactions of the audience, who would even throw vegetables at the actresses. Despite the aggressive response from the public, the sisters toured for almost ten years and even had a stint on Broadway.
Formation of the Cherry Sisters
The Cherry Sisters formed their own vaudeville group in the early 1890s, shortly after the death of their parents and the disappearance of their brother. Initially, all five sisters participated in the shows, but the eldest, Ella, left the stage before 1896, and from then on, the Cherry Sisters performed as a quartet. Their performances consisted of dancing, singing, short plays, and readings of various essays, with a clear emphasis on patriotic and religious themes.
Controversial Performances
While the Cherry Sisters' performances were relatively well-received in their hometown of Marion, outside of their familiar territory, they faced a much more skeptical audience. Spectators mocked and pelted the sisters with vegetables and, at times, even more dangerous objects. To protect themselves, the Cherry Sisters started hanging a special wire mesh in front of the stage to shield them from improvised projectiles.
Broadway and Legal Battle
In 1896, impresario Oscar Hammerstein helped the Cherry Sisters make it to Broadway. He was already familiar with their reputation and had a rather unconventional plan, stating, "I tried working with talents and failed... now I will try to work with the worst of the worst." Surprisingly, the insane plan worked exceptionally well. Their project, "Something Good, Something Sad," saved Hammerstein from imminent bankruptcy in just 12 days. It seemed that the audience attended the show out of sheer curiosity, driven by the terrifying stories spread by the press and advertisers, wanting to witness the alleged lack of talent of the Cherry Sisters.
In 1898, the Cherry Sisters sued two local newspapers that published scathing reviews of their show. The case eventually reached the Iowa Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the press, establishing the right of journalists to publish truthful, albeit unpleasant, comments and articles. Despite making some money with Hammerstein, the newspaper critics continued to tear the sisters apart.
Life After Vaudeville
The Cherry Sisters stopped touring after the untimely death of the youngest performer, Jessie Cherry. They did not return to the stage and instead made a living by managing their own bakery. While they did not earn a significant amount through their bakery, it was enough to sustain their lives.
