Doris Eaton Travis Memorial Service Set for 6/27 at Central Presbyterian Church

A memorial service has been announced for Doris Eaton Travis, the last of the Ziegfeld Follies girls, who died May 11 at the age of 106. The service will begin at 6PM on June 27 at the Central Presbyterian Church (64th and Park) in New York City.

Ms. Travis made her Broadway debut in Mother Carey's Chickens in 1917, and her storied career included performing in over 10 Broadway shows. Ms. Travis was one of the youngest and most beautiful of the legendary Ziegfeld Follies Girls, and was the last living Ziegfeld girl. A longtime friend of Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, she made many memorable appearances in their annual Easter Bonnet Competition.

Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, commented, "Doris Eaton Travis has been performing on the Broadway stage for decades! From entertaining audiences in the 1920's to her recent commitment to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and their Easter Bonnet Competition, she was a fascinating lady who took show business seriously. Her interesting life is one that we can all learn from."

She was thrilled when first invited by Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS to participate in the opening number of the first Easter Bonnet Competition to be produced at the New Amsterdam Theatre where she had appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies over 70 years before, and returned to Broadway to participate in the event for the next 12 years. From 1998 - 2010, she only missed it in 2007. Still feisty, she adored dancing with the young dancers, seeing new shows and feeling the incredible response from the Easter Bonnet audience and Broadway community.

Funeral arrangements will be private.

The Broadway League, founded in 1930, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League's 600-plus members include Theatre Owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in over 240 North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and on tour across the U.S. and Canada. Visit www.BroadwayLeague.com.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski