From 1840 onward until about the late 1940s, ministrel shows were a form of popular entertainment as the troupes traversed from town to town. Sometimes it was white folks in blackface and sometimes it was black folks in blackface, and yes, sometime it was a mix of the two!
Jokes, dancing, singing, and buffoonery all added to the enjoyment. The Gorman minstrel show was one of the most well-known in the United States. Reviews from newspapers all over the United States praised the show which had come to Defiance since at least 1890..
The Defiance Daily Crescent promoted it this way:
"Good Singing and Dancing
Gorman Minstrels Always Noted for That.
The singing and dancing part of the Gorman's Minstrel program is indeed a happy part, teeming with all that is new in popular songs, and bristling with all that is unique and coming in dancing.
The 'End Men' known as the funny part of the troupe of minstrels are simply bubbling over with side splitting jokes and 'misunderstandings.' They are especially prepared with parodies on the latest topical songs of the day, which are always expected and looked forward to with intense interest in a Minstrel performance and our people can rest assured that in Gorman's Minstrels, every expectation will be more than fully realized.
The Minstrels will be seen on our streets at noon, and in open air concert at 7:00 in the evening in front of the Opera House. Monday, Nov. 2nd."
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