Les Nickelettes Photographs and Papers, 1972-1992, bulk (bulk 1972-1985)

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Summary

Creators:
Les Nickelettes
Abstract:
Les Nickelettes were an all-female experimental comedy troupe active from 1972 to 1985 in the San Francisco Bay Area. This collection contains playbills, flyers, newsletters, newspaper and magazine clippings, and photographs.
Extent:
1 flat box and 1 small pamphlet box (1.75 Linear Feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Les Nickelettes Photographs and Papers (SFH 740), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains playbills, flyers, newsletters, newspaper and magazine clippings, and photographs. Photographs are mainly professional and press photographs. Significant longform articles include a San Francisco Magazine cover story in October 1974 and an article written by Nickelettes' member Ellin Stein about the group's performance on the Gong Show for Boulevards (a San Francisco New Wave Magazine founded in 1978 by Kevin Jenkins). Several of the flyers were designed by notable artists such as Diane Noomin and Trina Robbins, and several photographs are accredited to Michael Jang.

Biographical / historical:

Les Nickelettes (called the Nickelettes until 1974, when they became Les Nickelettes) were an all-female experimental comedy troupe active from 1972 to 1985 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The group's first stage appearances were informal, late-night performances at the People's Nickelodeon, which aired old movies after midnight at the Mitchell brothers' O'Farrell Theater. Denise Larson, a cashier at the O'Farrell, began performing songs and dances with friends before the People's Nickelodeon movies, and the Nickelettes were born.

The Nickelette's early years were filled with public stunts, parties, and satirical, feminist performances. The group crashed notable San Francisco events and venues, from opening night of the San Francisco Opera to Carol Doda's stage at the San Francisco Condor (where they wore girl scout uniforms and plastic breasts). The Nickelettes also held a thirty-month residency at the Intersection Theater (precursor to Intersection for the Arts) from 1973 to 1974 and a six-month residency at Mabuhay Gardens in 1975.

In 1975, Les Nickelettes became a non-profit, and membership stabilized. The group began creating and performing in full-length musicals, including:

  • Peter Pan: A New Rock Fairytale (1976),
  • Curtains (1978), a musical murder mystery,
  • Peter Pan: A New Wave Fairytale (1979), a reprisal of their first full-length show with new music,
  • Spaced Out (1980), a science fiction soap opera comedy featuring Ella Vader, Darth Vader's ex-wife, as a character,
  • The Didi Glitz Story (1981), based on Diane Noomin's eponymous comics character, and
  • Oh Goddess! (1985), a musical comedy and their final full-length show.

Throughout this period, Les Nickelettes continued to be known for their satirical performances, bawdy feminist humor, fundraising parties, and collaborations with local artists, cartoonists, performers, and musicians. The group also performed on the Gong Show in 1979.

Membership in the group changed frequently, especially in the early years. Core Nickelettes included Denise Larson, journalist Ellin Stein, Jane Huether, and frequent-director Betsy Neuman. Other Nickelettes with recurring roles and significant creative contributions included cartoonist Diane Noomin, Marga Gomez, Rhonda Zirkle, Mary Valentino, Elaine Schelb, Liza Kitchell, Rose Bianco, Debra Jean Pollack, Judith Rain, Monika Gurney, Trina Robbins, and Gudrun Thompson.

Custodial history:

Donated by Denise Larson in 2017. Accession number 2017-18.

Processing information:

Materials were separated by format for preservation.

Arrangement:

Original order consisted of two folders, sorted by date (1972-1976) and (1977-1992). During processing, items were further separated by format.

Physical location:
The collection is stored on site.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Les Nickelettes Photographs and Papers (SFH 740), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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