Frank S. Pixley

Frank Pixley, librettist, from the San Francisco Call (1913)

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The Burgomaster publication

"The Tale of the Kangaroo" two-step cover art from The Burgomaster

The chorus from The Burgomaster

Songbook from King Dodo

"The Tale of the Bumblebee" with an inset photograph of Zoe Barnett

Frank S. Pixley (November 21, 1865 or 1867 - 1919) was an educator, newspaper editor,[1] playwright[2] and lyricist.[3] He partnered with Gustav Luders, Pixley writing words and lyrics and Luders the music for several shows. American Musical Productions describes the team as Pixley and Luders became the Rodgers and Hammerstein of the 1900s.[4]

Early life and education

He was born in Richfield, Ohio.[4] He attended Richfield High School.[5] Maria Louise Pixley was his mother.[6] He graduated from Buchtel College in 1890[1] and Ohio State University.[5]

Career

He edited the Chicago Times from 1899 to 1902. He wrote several plays including The Prince of Pilsen with music by Gustav Luders. It was adapted into the 1926 film The Prince of Pilsen.

Personal life

He married Isabel MacRoy (died 1929) who bequeathed $50,000 to Buchtel College in honor of her husband.[1]

Works

• A Glimpse of Paradise[7]
• Florodora, adaptation for American stage[8]
• The Burgomaster (1900), music by Gustav Luders[9]
• King Dodo (1901), music by Gustav Luders
• The Prince of Pilsen (1902), music by Gustav Luders[10]
• Marcelle (1908), music by Gustav Luders, starring Louise Gunning[11]
• Woodland (1904), music by Gustav Luders
• The Grand Mogul (1907), music by Gustav Luders[12]
• The Carpet Bagger (1896), adapted into a novel by Opie Read
• The Return of Eve
• The Enchanted Isle
• The Gypsy (1912)
• Apollo[5] (1915)
• A Social Call (1915)
• The So-Gun
• Taming a Tartar (1914)
• Doctor Doolittle (1914)[13]

References

1. "Pixley Society". The University of Akron, Ohio.
2. "Frank S. Pixley – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". ibdb.com.
3. "Frank Pixley". Discography of American Historical Recordings.
4. "Frank Pixley". American Musical Productions.
5. "Richfield History". richfieldohiohistoricalsociety.org. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
6. "Death of MARIA L PIXLEY". The Akron Beacon Journal. 1895-03-01. p. 2.
7. "A Play in one act [electronic resource] : A glimpse of paradise by Mr. Frank S. Pixley., by Ont.) Grand Opera House (Hamilton | The Online Books Page". onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu.
8. "Oxford Reference No Search Results".
9. "Musical of the Month: "The Prince of Pilsen"". The New York Public Library.
10. ""The Message of the Violet" from the Prince of Pilsen, J. W. Myers (1902) Gustav Luders Frank Pixley". YouTube. 18 January 2023.
11. "The Message Of The Red, Red Rose: Karl and Marcelle". digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu.
12. "The Grand Mogul". playbill.com.
13. "Frank Pixley Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.