Frank S. Chanfrau

Frank S. Chanfrau as Mose the Fireman

Photo Credit: - Library of Congress

Reproduction Number LCDIGpga05448

Frank S. Chanfrau (1824-1884)

FALSE FACE, FALSE HEART, my YA Historical fiction project, set in the Bowery Theatre in New York City during the tumultuous year of 1849 has sent me on a journey Combing Through Research.

I think anyone who aspires to be an actor was probably influenced by someone in the business. For me, it was Mary Martin. I wanted to play Nellie Forbush in South Pacific or fly to Neverland as Peter Pan.

In the late 1830’s and early 1840’s, watching the great Edwin Forrest on stage inspired Frank Chanfrau to become an actor. Early in his career he was known for being an excellent mimic, imitating Junius Brutus Booth (father of John Wilkes Booth), Thomas Hamblin, manager of the Bowery Theatre, and Edwin Forrest himself, as well as dabbling in theatrical roles.

But when playwright, Ben Baker wrote A Glance at New York in 1848 in which Chanfrau played the character of Mose, a city volunteer fireman, his career took off. As "Mose the Fireman, Frank wore a bright red shirt, a stove pipe hat and sported the popular soap locks plastered against his cheeks. Chomping on a cigar, he simultaneously scuffled in street fights, fought fires and rescued women from unsavory characters. The play was an instant hit. Chanfrau went on to portray other roles but continued to play Mose for the rest of his career.

Frank’s portrayal of Mose is so theatrical and fun, I had to use him in my story!

Sources:

Cliff, Nigel. The Shakespeare Riots. New York: Random House, 2007.