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Trouping through Texas: Harley Sadler and His Tent Show

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From the cover:

The American tent show which flourished for over four decades represents a brief but important phase of theatre. Harley Sadler played a significant role in the history of the "rag opries."

In an era when anyone connected with theatre was automatically assumed to be three steps down the road to perdition, Sadler carried about with him an aura of respectability that silenced any criticism. Harley Sadler was more than an entertainer; he was a genuine folk hero. People came from miles around to attend the Harley Sadler Tent Show.

The Texas actor-managers' reputation has not diminished in the years since his passing. In 1976, almost 30 years after the last Sadler show had folded its tents, a revival by Texas Tech University brought out crowds to see the "new" Harley Sadler Show, yearning to recapture what remained one of their fondest memories of growing-up in Texas.

Four years of research and writing have gone into this study. Professor Ashby and Ms. May have done a masterful job in writing this history.