PIXLEY, ANNIE

(1858-1898)

Brooklyn-born Annie Shea spent her youth in San Francisco insupportingroles to touring starsJoseph Jefferson IIIinRip Van WinkleandMcKee RankininThe Danitesin the 1870s, taking her stepfather's surname as her stage name. Pix-ley made her Eastern debut in Philadelphia inH.M.S. Pinafore, but gained fame (and favorable comparisons withLotta Crabtree) as anIrish soubretteinoperettasand light comedies (with musical sequences) such asM'liss, the Child of Sorrow(1878),Zara(1873),Eily(1885),The Deacon's Daughter(1887), andKate(1890).