American Stage and Opera Performer. Born Annie Josephine Hall into a well-known family in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, she went by the stage name of Josephine or Josie Hall. She appeared in amateur theatricals as a child. She reputedly ran away from home to become an actress, proceeding to Providence, Rhode Island, where she let it be known at one stage door that she was going to win fame by acting, or die in the attempt. She made her debut as Eulalie in the musical “Evangeline” under the stage name Jo Hall, at the 14th Street Theatre in New York City, under the management of Edward E. Rice. She appeared in comedic farces for several years, introducing a few comedic songs. She then succeeded Paula Edwards in the title role of “Mam’selle ‘Awkins.” She then became a member of Eben Plympton’s “Jack” company. She came under Charles Frohman’s management, becoming successful in such parts as Evangeline in “All the Comforts of Home,” Jennie Buckthorne in “Shanandoah,” and Katherine Ten Broeck in “Aristocracy.” Early in the 1899-1900 theatrical season, Miss Hall was the Praline in “The Girl from Maxim’s” a French farce, risqué for the time, but funny as a refreshing alternate to the formulaic low comedy musicals then imported from Europe. The show was a success in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia due to its entertainment value, despite the off-color humor. In the 1897-98 season, the now Josie Hall soared into prominence with her first big hit in “The Girl from Paris,” in which she played Ruth, singing the humorous “Mary Jane’s Top Note.” Despite playing numerous roles as a foreigner in farcical plays, she conveyed a clear American sense of comedy, and was a rare exception to the inevitable and usual expediency of attaching English characteristics to such roles.