Joan Clark

Brief Bright Star Joan Clark

The nineteenth century was the golden age of New Orleans theatre. "Brief Bright Star" is loosely based on the life of Adah Isaacs Menken, who for a year or two in the 1860's was possibly the highest paid actress in the world. This novel tells the story of two sisters starting their careers dancing on the stage of the St. Charles Theater in the Crescent City. The oldest, Adah, runs away from home in hopes of becoming an actress and ultimately gains the success that makes her famous in New York, London and on the Continent. Unknown to Adah, her sister Francesca marries a Frenchman, moves to his home country, and after bearing his child she struggles to join the ballet chorus of the Paris Opera. At the height of her fame, Adah goes in search of her younger sister.