VAUDEVILLE NATION. The free exhibit Vaudeville Nation, open through April 1 at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, draws from the library's collection to survey a lively, formative, and now largely dormant aspect of public entertainment in the United States.

For decades around the turn of the century, as transportation improved and towns and cities took shape across North America, vaudeville acts were increasingly able to travel and entertain (or at least attempt to entertain) the populace. Eventually the technology of mass media proved too much for the vaudeville industry that helped to fuel it in the first place.

Among this worthwhile exhibition's highlights are relics of the Dainty June act that inspired the musical Gypsy, a sheet of still-clever (and mildly naughty) lyrics to a comical number co-written by Ira Gershwin, costume designs (a sample can be seen in the photo for this entry), and staggering images of great movie palaces (for a related entry, see Save the RKO Keith's Theatre!). The artifacts also include promotional pieces; some seem almost alien to these times while others are close to what you might see today.

Public programs include Ron Hutchinson's March 1 presentation on the restoration of Vitaphone Short Films (this type of program, which features films of Baby Rose Marie and Burns & Allen, plays to sell-out houses at the Film Forum), the March 22 program with footage of The Nicholas Brothers, and the March 29 program featuring films of Eddie Cantor and Molly Picon. Be careful when consulting the NYPL website for scheduling information; at the time of this posting the listings were confusing.

Photo: David Marc Fischer