Entertainer. Rose, along with her sister Mae performed as the popular vaudeville act, "The Wilton Sisters." The Wilton Sisters were known as the "Hoosier Queens of Vaudeville." Rose's career on the vaudeville stage began in 1915 and lasted for over fifteen years. Together with her sister, Mae and their Mother Jennie, the act toured the United States and Europe. They sang and danced and played violin and piano. The Wilton Sister's were featured in the Broadway play, "The Little Whopper" which opened in 1919 at the Casino Theater on Broadway in New York City, and ran for 224 performances over four years. Composer Rudolf Friml and lyricists Otto A. Harbach and Bide Dudley, wrote several songs especially for the Wiltons. The Wilton Sisters were signed by the Keith/Orpheum Theater circuit, which was known as "big time" vaudeville. In 1921 they were signed to a three year contract which was one of the largest contracts ever offered by the Keith circuit. During their tour of Europe they performed for royalty at the London Palladium where they were held over for six weeks. They caused a small riot in New York City in 1920 when they each carried small monkeys down Fifth Avenue in the Easter Parade. Songs that the Wiltons performed became hits on sheet music charts, including "Follow the Swallow," and "Bye, Bye, Blackbird" and "Dreamer of Dreams," The sister's photos were featured on many pieces of sheet music that they helped popularize throughout the 1920s. Photographs of the Wilton Sisters are on display at the New York Public Library "Performing Arts In America" exhibit.
Entertainer. Rose, along with her sister Mae performed as the popular vaudeville act, "The Wilton Sisters." The Wilton Sisters were known as the "Hoosier Queens of Vaudeville." Rose's career on the vaudeville stage began in 1915 and lasted for over fifteen years. Together with her sister, Mae and their Mother Jennie, the act toured the United States and Europe. They sang and danced and played violin and piano. The Wilton Sister's were featured in the Broadway play, "The Little Whopper" which opened in 1919 at the Casino Theater on Broadway in New York City, and ran for 224 performances over four years. Composer Rudolf Friml and lyricists Otto A. Harbach and Bide Dudley, wrote several songs especially for the Wiltons. The Wilton Sisters were signed by the Keith/Orpheum Theater circuit, which was known as "big time" vaudeville. In 1921 they were signed to a three year contract which was one of the largest contracts ever offered by the Keith circuit. During their tour of Europe they performed for royalty at the London Palladium where they were held over for six weeks. They caused a small riot in New York City in 1920 when they each carried small monkeys down Fifth Avenue in the Easter Parade. Songs that the Wiltons performed became hits on sheet music charts, including "Follow the Swallow," and "Bye, Bye, Blackbird" and "Dreamer of Dreams," The sister's photos were featured on many pieces of sheet music that they helped popularize throughout the 1920s. Photographs of the Wilton Sisters are on display at the New York Public Library "Performing Arts In America" exhibit.
Bio by: Jennifer Festa
Family Members
Children
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See more Van Cleave or Wilton memorials in:
- Calvary Cemetery Van Cleave or Wilton
- Terre Haute Van Cleave or Wilton
- Vigo County Van Cleave or Wilton
- Indiana Van Cleave or Wilton
- USA Van Cleave or Wilton
- Find a Grave Van Cleave or Wilton
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