Photographic print on paper.

c. 1912

500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

The photograph on the left-hand side shows Pantomime actors Joe Turpin and Ed Wilson. The production was likely for the 1913 production of "Contrarie Mary," in which Turpin is described as "reveling in the clothes of a fair maiden" in the Michigan Daily of March 27, 1913 (University of Michigan).

The Michigan Union Operas began in 1908 as all-male productions that combined comedy, music, and satire while raising funds to build the Michigan Union. They quickly grew into a major campus tradition, even touring nationally in the 1920s with lavish professional-quality shows. During World War I, women briefly appeared onstage, but the operas quickly returned to their male-only format. Financial troubles in the Depression and World War II interrupted productions, but they were revived after 1945 until debates about cross-dressing and the conservative movement led to their end in 1955. The group was replaced by MUSKET, which staged Broadway musicals with co-ed casts, leaving the original Union Operas to fade away, and is regarded as a colorful Michigan tradition. If interested, please read more about the Michigan Union Operas here: https://www.michigandaily.com/uncategorized/michigan-union-operas/.

Dianelys Nunez; Elio Singer

Sarah Miller Boye