Juanita Hall
The Broadway Show, South Pacific, Opened On April 7, 1949 At New York City’s Majestic Theater With Black Actress, Jaunita Hall Playing The Part Of Bloody Mary.
Hall’s Renditions Of "Happy Talk" And "Bali H’ai" Quickly Turned The Songs Into National Hits.
Hall Received Classical Training At Juilliard And In 1950, She Became The First African American To Win A Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress For Her Role As Bloody Mary In South Pacific.
In Addition To Stage Acting She Made Club Appearances, Was A Choir Director And Worked In Films Such As Miracle In Harlem (1948) And Flower Drum Song (1961).
Juanita Hall Died February 28, 1968.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
