Tag Archives: Vaudeville

IN THE NEWS – Harris Grand Theatre, Bloomington, Indiana – April 23–25, 1925

Posted on June 20, 2026 by Don Taylor

In April 1925, my grandmother Madonna Montran — performing as Donna Darling — headlined her “Bathing Girls’ Revue” at the Harris Grand Theatre in Bloomington, Indiana. The three-day Keith Circuit engagement drew five days of advance and review coverage in the local press, naming her seven supporting performers and praising the elaborate production. Continue reading →

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Donna at Fox Washington Theatre, Detroit, MI – Week of June 6, 1926

Posted on June 6, 2026 by Don Taylor

In June 1926, vaudeville performer Donna Darling and her Metropolitan Five headlined the live bill at Detroit’s Fox Washington Theatre, appearing alongside the silent film The Shamrock Handicap. A penciled note in Donna’s own hand — “week June 6, Detroit” — anchors this appearance in her career chronology. Continue reading →

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Donna in the News – Bloomington, IN, April 1925.

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Don Taylor

Donna Darling and her “Bathing Girls’ Revue” brought a Hollywood-organized vaudeville extravaganza to Bloomington, Indiana’s Harris Grand Theatre in April 1925, dazzling audiences and earning recognition as the biggest vaudeville number ever seen on that stage. Continue reading →

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“The Scintillating Beauty”: Donna Darling’s Week at Jackson’s Capitol Theatre, 1926

Posted on March 7, 2026 by Don Taylor

In March 1926, Donna Darling and her “Little Jewel Revue” appeared for a full week at the Capitol Theatre in Jackson, Michigan. Featuring split bills of motion pictures and vaudeville, the engagement included glowing press notices and a locally promoted Bathing Girl Contest arrainged and conducted by Donna. Continue reading →

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Donna & Sammy — Rockford, Illinois (Dec. 1926)

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Don Taylor

In December 1926, Donna Darling and Sammy Clark appeared at the Palace Theatre in Rockford, Illinois, as part of a lively year-end vaudeville program. Contemporary Register Star articles describe their “brisk revue,” combining comedy, song, and dancing, and identify Darling as “The Musical Comedy Beauty.” These notices document another confirmed Midwestern engagement late in Darling’s touring career. Continue reading →

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