Taking

The

Stage

The Broadway production of House of Flowers debuted on December 30, 1954, at the Alvin Ailey Theatre. The play was adapted from a novella created by Truman Capote, who later wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958). The musical score was created by Harold Arlen, who also wrote the score to St. Louis Woman (1946), which was Pearl Bailey’s Broadway debut.

In House of Flowers, Bailey played the role of Madame Fleur, the hostess of a brothel in Haiti. Alvin Ailey also performed in the production. The play ran for 165 performances over five months. In 1991, the play was revived under the direction and choreography of Geoffrey Holder, with Patti Labelle recast as Madame Fleur. It is hard to imagine Pearl’s experience navigating the red-light district in Pottsville did not impact her role as Madame Fleur.

Photograph of Pearl Bailey as a Child

Cartoon board for House of Flowers, December 30, 1954

Photograph of House of Flowers performance ca. 1954/1955.

Original Cast Recording

Mining Her TalentsPolitical PerformanceTaking the StageA Special GuestNot So Black and WhiteA Long-Playing GroovePearls on PaperLeaving Pearls of Wisdom