Diamond Duo Return to New York

New York, NY: An exhibition of rarely seen photographs, theatre memorabilia, and colorful illustrations will be on view in midtown Manhattan this year during the month of August.  "Diamond Life: MAE WEST and TEXAS GUINAN in New York during the Jazz Era" will focus on vintage views of Gotham's fanciest playhouses - - most of them now demolished - - along with unusual archival illustrations that showcase the theatrical side of these two actresses who often performed on the same stages.

Though TEXAS GUINAN [1884-1933] is remembered as a speakeasy hostess, in fact, she starred in over two dozen films and had leading roles in musicals at the Manhattan Opera House, Keith and Proctor's Fifth Avenue Theatre, the Hippodrome, the Winter Garden, and the Shubert Theatre.  And though MAE WEST [1893-1980] is immortalized as an icon of the silver screen, she performed live at Keith and Proctor's Fifth Avenue Theatre, the Winter Garden, the Shubert Theatre, Hammerstein's Victoria, the Folies Bergere, the Century Roof, the Casino, the Royale, the Polo Grounds, and other venues that too often met the wrecker's ball.

And when they performed or played, MAE WEST and TEXAS GUINAN piled on the glitter.  MAE WEST loved gems even before she brought her play "DIAMOND LIL" to Broadway, sharing this taste in finery with her financially successful friend TEXAS GUINAN, whose bracelets contained over 550 diamonds each.

In honor of MAE WEST's August 17th birthday, "Diamond Life" will have its official press opening at a gala cocktail party on that Thursday evening.

The installation will be on view to the public from Friday August 18th, 2006 until the end of the month at a popular location in midtown Manhattan.

Sponsorship and media inquiries are welcome.

COURTING MAE WEST, LLC, based in Manhattan, is an off-Broadway producing outfit whose mission is to increase visibility and opportunity for women and women-driven stories in the theatre.