| Urylee Leonardos | |
| Birth Date: | May 14, 1910 |
| Birth Place: | Charleston, South Carolina, United States |
| Death Place: | New York City, United States |
| Occupation: | singer, actor |
| Spouse: | Kenneth Bacon |
| Yearsactive: | 1939 - 1976 |
Urylee Leonardos (May 14, 1910 – April 25, 1986) was an American vocalist and actress who appeared frequently on Broadway. She has the distinction of being the first black performer to understudy and go on for a Latina in a Broadway production. She filled in for Yma Sumac in the role of Princess Najla in the 1951 production of Flahooley.[1]
Leonardos appeared in Mike Todd's Gay New Orleans revue at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. Later that year, she had a small role on Broadway in The Male Animal.[1]
Her big break came in 1943, when she was cast in the musical Carmen Jones. Initially cast in a small role, Leonardo took over the lead in the 1946 revival of the production.[1]
Leonardos filled in for Yma Sumac as Princess Najla in the 1951 production, Flahooley. It was the first time that a black performer stepped into a role played by a Latina on Broadway.[1] She also played the female lead in the 1953 revival of Porgy and Bess.[2]
| Year | Production | Role(s) | Theatre(s) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Bells Are Ringing[3] | Ensemble | Sam S. Shubert Theatre | ||
| 1953 | Porgy and Bess | Bess | Ziegfeld Theatre | Revival. Alternated role with Leontyne Price | |
| 1952 | Shuffle Along[4] | Laura Popham | Broadway Theatre | Revival of the 1920s musical, but set in Northern Italy and New York City in 1945 | |
| 1951 | Flahooley[5] | Switchboard Operator, Singer, Najla (understudy) | Broadhurst Theatre | ||
| 1948 | Set My People Free[6] | Blanche | Hudson Theatre | Staged by Martin Ritt | |
| 1946 | Carmen Jones[7] | Carmen | City Center | Revival of 1943 production | |
| 1943 | Carmen Jones[8] | Card Player, Ensemble | Broadway Theatre |