John Kenley

John Kenley (February 20, 1906 – October 23, 2009) was an American theatrical producer who pioneered the use of television stars in summer stock productions. In 1950, he was the first producer to desegregate live theater in Washington, DC. In 2004 he was made an Honorary Life Member of Actors' Equity for his contributions to American theater. His Kenley Players company was described by Variety as "the largest network of theaters on the straw-hat circuit."

Early life

Kenley was born John Kremchek to Ana Machuga and John Kremchek Zyanskovsky in Denver, Colorado. His father, a Slovakian saloon owner, baptized him as Russian Orthodox. Kenley made his stage debut singing in church in both Russian and English, and was given a solo part at age 4. His family had moved several times ahead of the spread of prohibition, finally settling in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Performing career

After graduating high school at 16, he moved to Cleveland and landed a job as a choreographer for a burlesque show despite his lack of training. “I taught the girls silly simple routines,” he later recalled, “As I taught them, I got pretty good.”

Kenley

Coordinates: 51°19′27″N 0°05′49″W / 51.3242°N 0.0969°W / 51.3242; -0.0969

Kenley is a district in the south of the London Borough of Croydon (Historically in Surrey). It borders Purley, Coulsdon, Riddlesdown, Caterham and Whyteleafe. Kenley is situated 13 miles south of Charing Cross. The 2011 census showed Kenley having a population of 14,966.

Significant portions of Kenley lie within the Metropolitan Green Belt. In particular, the south of Kenley is dominated by the open green spaces of Kenley Common and Kenley Aerodrome.

History

A comprehensive history of Kenley is found in the Bourne Society's 'Kenley Village History'.

Suburban development

For centuries, Kenley was part of Coulsdon Manor which covered the whole area now known as Coulsdon, Old Coulsdon, Purley and Kenley. As with most of this area, Kenley was primarily farm land, with a few big houses and their estates.

The official opening of the railway on 4 August 1856 transformed Kenley. The new railway prompted urban development. By the end of the Victorian era, Kenley had assumed its own identity. Magnificent gentlemen's houses in substantial grounds were constructed during the 1860s. These houses gave Kenley its distinctive appearance on its western hillside. More modest housing and shops were built along the Godstone Road in the 1880s. Finally, the compact housing of the lower lying Roke area was constructed toward the end of the 19th century.

Kenley (disambiguation)

Kenley may refer to: