Brief Bright Star

Joan Garwood Clark

Nov 2005 · AuthorHouse

About this ebook

From the Back Cover: The nineteenth century was the golden age of New Orleans theatre. Two young sisters began their careers dancing on the stage of the St. Charles Theatre. One of the sisters ran away in hopes of becoming a famous actress. With her long dark hair, large sad eyes, years of hard work and good friends, she became the theatrical sensation who created a storm of controversy with her daring portrayal of the heroine of a melodrama based on a poem by Byron. The performance in the play was highlighted by a dangerous ride she made dressed in skin-colored tights tied to the back of a live horse. The spectacle both shocked and delighted audiences in New York, San Francisco, London and Paris. She was a show business phenomenon. For a year or two in the 1860's Ada Campbell, the actress from New Orleans, who was known as Adah Isaacs Menken, became one of the highest paid actresses in the world. Her more talented younger sister found a brief love with the son of a fishing magnate who insisted they live in France. After bearing his child and training long hours, she joined the ballet chorus of the famous Paris Opera. Neither sister knew what became of the other. Young and talented in New Orleans, neither young girl could have foreseen her future harrowing life in Europe.

About the author

From Joan G. Clark: Researching for a class at The University of Texas at Dallas, I came across Walter Bower's book, "Studies in Genius." On his list of female geniuses in the American theatre was the name Adah Isaacs Menken. This unfamiliar name lead me to a trip to New Orleans and the beginning of the plot of "Brief Bright Star." I learned that in the late 19th Century there was a difference between the acting styles of Europe and America. This inspired me to write the character of Celine, who is one of the two leading players in my second book "Frederick's Heir." In turn of the century New York City, celebrity photographer Napoleon Sarony photographed all of the famous names of the day: Sara Bernhardt, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde. His red signature scrawled up the side of each portrait he took made him the perfect flamboyant central character of "Double Shot! a Napoleon Sarony Mystery" co-written with Kay Sanford. Joan G. Clark received her BA from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. and her MA from The University of Texas at Dallas. Her children's play, "Lundy's Child" won an award at the National Youth Playwriting Competition sponsored by IUPUI, Indiana University/Perdue University of Indianapolis. Researching nineteenth century American theatre inspired her transition from writing for the theatre to writing about the theatre. Joan G. Clark's first two books were "Brief Bright Star" and "Frederick's Heir." She then co-wrote "Double Shot! A Napoleon sarong Mystery" with Kay Sanford.