[From left to right: Alex Rogers, Aida Overton Walker, and Bert Williams]

February of 1906 the play was ready to go on the stage … book and lyrics by Jesse A Shipp and Alex Rogers, and music by Will Marion Cook and Bert Williams, premiered at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre to rave reviews.

Synopsis
Jasmin Jenkins (Bert Williams) and Rastus Johnson (George Walker) were visiting Abyssinia (Ethiopia), where they end up getting in trouble. It was an elaborate production with live camels. In contrast to previous shows, this time the Africans were sympathetic characters and the Americans were targets of humor.

Williams recorded a song from the play later that summer. It was his most famous hit ever and his signature piece. “Nobody,” with music by Williams and lyrics by Rogers.

‘Staging Race: Black Performers in Turn of the Century America’ by Karen Sotiropoulos