Group portrait of the Christmas cast party for Lew Leslie's "Blackbirds of 1928"

Reportages Photographiques Ruysdal · 1929

Black and white silver gelatin photograph of a group portrait from the Christmas cast party for Lew Leslie's play, "Blackbirds of 1928," Paris production in 1929. The photograph depicts a large group arranged on a small stage in three rows, the first row seated on the edge of the stage, the second row seated on chairs, and the third row standing behind them. A dark curtain is visible in the background, with tables and chairs to the side and three light fixtures above. A small toy French bulldog is placed on the ground front and center of the group. Most individuals are looking towards the camera and smiling. The group photographed consists of members of the cast and crew of the production, as well as other guests, and includes Clarence Robinson, William Grant Still, Mantan Moreland, Tim Moore, Lew Leslie, Man Ray, Ira Gershwin, Adelaide Hall, Mistinguett (Jeanne Florentine Bourgeois), James Joyce, Kurt Weill, Aida Ward, Elisabeth Welch, Nina Mae McKinney, Ruth Gordon and Jed Harris.