NEWSLETTER OF THE THEATRE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Vo1.23, No. 4-Vol. 24, No. 1 Spring-Summer 1996

TLA-FREEDLEY AWARDS --ALBEE, SELDES, REAMS ARE PRESENTERS

On Friday, May 31, 19%, the Theatre -- Lee Roy corrected. "I worked for Library Association celebrated the 28th David Merrick!") in 42nd Street, annual presentation of the George concert performer and director of the Freedley Memorial Award for the best recent touring revival of Hello, Dolly! theatre book of the year and the 23rd (starring Carol Channing). Mr. annual presentation of the Theatre Reams presented the Honorable Library Association Award for the best Mention for the Freedley Award to film or television book of the year. The Richard Barrios for A Song in the Bruno Walter Auditorium held a packed Dark: Tlte Birth of the Musical FiZm audience who were there to see Edward (New York: Oxford University Press, Albee, Marian Seldes, Lee Roy Reams, 19%). and Charles Musser make the presentations. Stepping to the podium, Marian Seldes, who starred last year Dick Buck (TLA treasurer) greeted Off Broadway in Edward Albee's Three presenters and guests with, "This will be Tall Women, presented the Honorable my last one so make it good." He Mention for the George Freedley introduced Richard Wall (Queens Award to Claire Tomalin for Mrs. College), Chairman of the Book Awards Jordan 's Profession: 77ze Actress and committee, who thanked his jurors: For the Prince (New York: Knopf, 1995). the Freedley, James Fisher (Wabash Dick Buck College), Jason Rubin (Washington College) and Don B. Wilmeth (Brown University; For the TLA Award, Barbara Stratyner (NYPL), James Poteat (former TLA President), and Steven Higgins (Museum of Modern Art). Commenting on the wide field of candidates for both awards, Wall noted that there were over 100 books submitted for each award and that, even though the field of nominees was very strong, the 6 jurors were in almost total consensus in their decisions.

As the Tony Award week festivities drew to a close, Dick Buck noted that this seemed to be an appropriate time for TLA to celebrate the TLA-Freedley Awards. Dick introduced Lee Roy Reams, the first presenter -- hair dresser to Lauren Bacall in Applarrse, the candlestick in Beauty and the Beast, dancer who danced on a dollar ("Dime!" Lyle Leverich, Edward Albee Anna Carteret, currently starring on went. ventures for the future. It has also told Broadway in Oscar Wilde's An Ideal other presses that they cannot sacrifice Husband, accepted the award on behalf Charles Musser, film historian, quality for narrow commercial of Claire Tomalin, and read Ms. presented the TLA Award for Best considerations ...This prize has already Tomalin's comments: "Mrs. Jordan Film/TV book to Gregory A. Waller for had an impact on our precious, vital and would have felt very happy on this his Main Street Amusements; Movies often besieged film culture." occasion. Given her treatment at the and Commercial Entertainment in a hands of the English Royal family, I Southern City, 1896-1930 In accepting his award, Greg Waller rather think she would have appreciated (Washington, DC: Smithsonian said: "It's a real privilege to join the the Constitution of the United Institution Press, 1995). The book company of film historians who have States... She was a great professional and focuses on moviegoing in a suburban gotten this award ....I am particularly the high moments of her life were acted setting in Lexington, KY. Musser grateful to receive [the award] here [at out in theatres. But this is her first remarked that the award was an Lincoln Center]. I did a lot of research appearance in New York -- only two affirmation for the publisher as well as in the library... for my dissertation when hundred years over due. I feel the the author. "Main Street Amusements I was at SUNY/Stony Brook. When I award is really for her and am thrilled it was not seen as a particularly went to Lexington, it was very much should be so... I send my warmest thanks commercial publication by various being in the provinces ... and good wishes to all of you." Ms. publishers ...The prize has forced the Undertaking... this book was, in fact, an Carteret said that as soon as she got to Smithsonian to take this book and this attempt to look at the world of theatre, the theatre, she would call Ms. Tomalin series more seriously and it has enabled film, vaudeville, amusement parks, to tell her how the awards ceremony me to advocate more risky publishing commercial entertainment across the

Sylvia Miles, Marian Seldes Greg Waller

- Vo1.23, No. 4-V01.24., No.1 Spring-Summer 1996 2 U.S., specifically from the perspective of I will only say that he is one of the ugly and preposterous opposition from the provinces. What does it look like greatest playwrights that this country has the lady who was running the Tennessee from outside of New York, from outside ever produced ...When me's Afraid of Williams estate for awhile, proceeded, the metropolitan area, what does it look Virginia Woolf opened in 1962.... I did went on, assuming that folly would fall like... from the bottom up -- not from not know the playwright but I knew that and that he would be permitted to the people who...p roduce the plays or something very great had happened in publish. I am told that his publishers . perform in them ...but what that the American theatre. Here he is today wish him to keep the Tennessee commercial entertainment looked like to help us honor the author of the Williams's biography to two volumes. I and the role it played in the lives of the biography of another great American don't see how he can possibly do that. audiences that participated ...the people playwright ...the inestimable Edward Here we are at just the beginning of the who owned movie theatres, small Albee." glory days of Tennessee's career. It exchanges that rented films and owned must be at least three volumes, I vaudeville theatres in a place like Albee: "Whatever shall we do about think ...What's extraordinary about this Lexington, Kentucky ... Lyle Leverich? Whatever shall we do work that he's done is that it is about this man who has so far produced exhaustive without being exhausting, that In his introduction of three time Pulitzer volume one of what I hope will be an it is objective without being either Prize winner, Edward Albee, Dick Buck endless series of volumes about fawning or without taking said, "he was recently introduced as Tennessee Williams, one of the few advantage... I'm looking forward to the 'America's greatest living playwright' to essential figures in American next two volumes. Not so much to see which he responded to the effect 'that theatre ...What shall we do about Lyle how he handles Tennessee's glory years Arthur Miller might disagree with that.' Leverich? This man who in the face of but to see how he handles the final years -- the troubled years -- the years that many people think were a decline. I know that he will handle this last volume... with objectivity, with I affection, with judicious I restraint. I imagine that when the work is finally done we will ' have one of the most extraordinary biographies ever written about an American creative artist and it will conclude, I am sure, with a great deal of mercy. What shall we do about Lyle Leverich? Well I suppose we better give him the George Freedley Memorial Award for 1996 representing excellence in writing about live theatre."

Lyle Leverich responded: Thanks to the Theatre Library Association for this honor ...I began this as a theatre producer in awe of Tennessee -.d 23. :b , - -- Williams -- never dreaming, never thinking for a moment . . Dorothy Swerdlove, Paul Myers, Marian Seldes that I would ever be doing

'VoI.23, No. 4-Vo1.24.' No.1 Spring-Summer 1996 3 anything as preposterous as a single volume, let alone a two volume, and, I Letter to the Editor don't think three volumes. I was in awe In the latest edition of Broadside [v.23, no.31, in a review of Donald J. of him, of course, but I have to point Stubblebine's Broadway Sheet Music, William Appleton refers to the revue out something tonight too. I am in awe 77le Pepper Mill (1937) as piquing his curiosity. Noting that the author failed of the man who presented this to me ... to locate sheet music for it, despite lyrics by Erika Mann, Ernst Toller and To have a man who made it to the top W. H. Auden, he asks "Did Mr. Stubblebine miss out on something? My and he made it spectacularly with a guess is that he did not, and that the show sank without a trace in spite of great play but who nevertheless was its distinguished roster of contributors." concerned about those who were coming up, working their way up in the A misunderstanding needs to be cleared up. The Pepper Mill was the last profession, that he has done so much avatar of Die Pfeffemdhle, the anti-Nazi cabaret which had been founded by work for aspiring playwrights, it's a Erika Mann and her brother Klaus in 1933. It had performed with great double honor to have someone like him success in Switzerland until hounded out by Nazi sympathizers, and had a present an award. I think if Tennessee somewhat less illustrious career in Holland. The lesbian Erika married the were here tonight he would concur. He homosexual Auden to become an English subject. She and Klaus emigrated was an extraordinary person in so many to the United States in 1936 and attempted to re-establish the cabaret, facets. I found something that I think earlier German lyrics being translated by Auden and John Latouche among most people will appreciate after they others. But, as Erika said, "Americans have never heard of cabaret" and the dig a little bit deeper into his enterprise foundered. personality: that he was always Many of these lyrics are reproduced for the first time, from typescript, in operating as a professional. In my Helga Keiser-Hayne, Erika Mann und ihr politisches Kabarett "Die theatre when he came to supervise a Pfeffemtu"1lew 1933-1937: Tate, Bilder, hintergrinde (Reinbek: Rowohlt, production of his very difficult play, he 1995). It may have appeared too late for Mr. Stubblebine's purposes, though was always on time, he worked with the I suspect he consulted only English-language sources. actors, and he worked with the director. He was so concerned he made three Yours truly, transcontinental trips to the 99 seat Laurence Senelick theatre which I was operating at the Fletcher Professor of Drama and Oratory, Tufts University time. I had come down from 3000 seats and frankly was very happy to have a small theatre and I was honored to think thank everyone for this wonderful Central building at 42nd St. We worked that he would want me to do this play. tribute and I appreciate it very, very together for many years and I can't tell I say this because I had heard about his much. Thank you. you how happy I am to present this moods. And I found this very curious award to our beloved Dorothy thing -- that most artists are dissemblers Bob Taylor, TLA Vice President and Swerdlove. and that man is the rational force. Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre With Tennessee, it seemed to be just the Collection, introduced Paul Myers, Dorothy Swerdlove: Thank you. Paul is opposite and as I traced his career I former Curator of the Theatre too much of a gentleman to say so but I keep seeing this over and over again. Collection, NYPL, to make the will tell you. 35 years ago I crawled out Even in his sixties when he was at his presentation of TLA's Distinguished of the darkness into the light. I had lowest ebb, he was still writing to Librarian Award for 1996. Paul Myers, been a practicing economist and I was producers, doing things for them, the first recipient of TLA Distinguished beginning to feel more and more concerned about his plays, willing to Librarian Award, said it was "a great responsible for famine, unemployment, make trips. He always had his script pleasure to be here tonight and a great war, depression, especially depression. bag with him and a portable typewriter. privilege to be able to present this By a series of happy accidents, I got a He once wrote to me that he felt like a award. I won't say how many years ago degree in librarianship and came to the traveling salesman. So it is that the recipient of this award joined the Theatre Collection of The New York personality and that man, Edward, that staff of the Theatre collection but we Public library and the next 30 years were I'm going to be dealing with. I want to were still in the catacombs of the really the happiest of my life. George

Vo1.23, No. 4-Vo1.24., No.1 Spring-Summer 1996 4 Freedley, the first curator after whom There have been very few changes in Signed." If read from start to finish, the one of the awards is named, hired me format, style, and content. This new book can be used as a handbook, but my immediate supervisor was Paul revised edition is the most thorough chronologically guiding the reader Myers. When he retired, I became the source available, which makes it an through the booking and touring curator. When I think of the collection, indispensable resource for librarians, process. Yet since its organization is so I think of the colleagues that I met and musicians, actors, dancers, performing transparent, it can just as easily be used worked with. I think of the people who arts managers, administrators and as a reference tool to quickly answer used our resources -- the academics, the presenters. specific inquiries on related subjects. practical theatre people and the ordinary citizen who was interested in the Ms. Shagan's knowledge of the subject is As a supplement to her own expertise theatre. It's really been wonderful ... that of a seasoned performing arts and insights, Ms. Shagan includes three Now that I'm retired, I can come right professional. A former modern dancer, chapters written by performing arts out and say that for me that was the she has been general manager for colleagues which cover the subject of little corner of the theatre where I several dance and theatre companies touring from perspectives which are not could live, contribute and be happy and and is currently president of Rena as familiar to her: Susan Farr, I thank you very, very much for this Shagan Associates, a NY City marketer Executive Director of the Association of award. of performing arts companies for Performing Arts Presenters, contributed touring in the U.S. and abroad. She has a chapter titled "What Presenters Need The audience adjourned to the been a consultant and lecturer on From Artists;" Art Becofsky, former Amsterdam Gallery for a champagne booking and tour management executive director of the Cunningham reception. techniques, and has coordinated Dance Foundation, contributed a conferences on the subject for numerous chapter titled "The Road Show Abroad;" BOOK REVIEW performing arts service organizations and M.Kay Barrell, lighting designer and including the Mid-America Arts production director for Ballet West, Shagan, Rene. Booking and Tour Alliance, Southern Arts Federation, and contributed a chapter titled "Touring. Management for the Performing Arts the Mid-Atlantic States Arts From a Technical Viewpoint ." Similarly,- (ACA Books, 01996). 272 p. $19.95, Consortium. She is well qualified to the final chapter of the book is titled paper. write a handbook on this topic. "Touring: The Artist's Viewpoint". It Every good librarian knows the joy of consists of an interview with an actor, a finding the perfect source to answer that The book follows a standard "How to" dancer, an opera singer, and a pianist. difficult reference question. The perfect format. Chapters cover "Touring," The artists perspectives reveal both the source is thorough, yet concise, well "Booking," "Preparing a Budget for benefits and difficulties of touring, and organized, and written for the average Touring," "The Booking Brochure," remind the reader that touring is more library user; not so simple as to be "Targeting the Presenter," "Contracts," than an administrative task - it is a condescending, not so erudite as to be "Promotion," etc. Wisely, Ms. Shagan human experience which can have a intimidating. In addition, it should be has shied away from cute or cryptic dramatic affect on the physical, mental, interesting, informative, and accurate. chapter titles. Thus, the table of and creative development of the artists Rena Shagan's book The Road Sliow contents is a clear and simple resource involved. (ACA Books, @1985)has for years held for identifying where relevant reign as the perfect source for information is located throughout the The primary difference between the old information on how to plan, book and book. In addition, each chapter is neatly and new editions of the book is a execute a successful performing arts divided into subsections which further chapter titled "Trends for the Future." tour. Yet with a 1985 copyright date, it guide the reader to exact information. In this chapter Ms. Shagan attempts to has become outdated and (since it went For example, the chapter titled address some of the large social, out of print) very difficult to find. "Contracts" consists of a brief economic and political trends which are Fortunately, Ms. Shagan has just revised, introduction followed by four affecting the touring experience expanded and renamed her bible of tour subsections titled "Elements of the throughout the nation. Once again, Ms. management (Booking and Tour Contract," "Contract Negotiations," Shagan consults other performing arts Mattagentertt for the Perjortnirtg Arts). "Letters of Agreement," and "Nailing professionals to enhance her perspective, Down the Contract: Getting Agreements and present a cross-section of

------Vo1.23, No. 4-Vo1.24., NO.~ Spring-Summer 19% 5 experiences within the field. Lauren Bufferd Unfortunately, this chapter is not as (TLA Board effective as the others in the book. Member, Chicago Many quotes are redundant and some Public Library) gave seem too polite or timid (Are the birth to Jacob presenters consulted here too fearful to Garrett Fuller (8 give voice to the alarming attacks on pounds, 8 ounces) on arts events that have lately become March 30, 1996. commonplace throughout America?). Mom and son are On contradictory trends (e.g., audience both doing fine. desire to see more unusual multicultural events versus audience desire to hear James Fisher more traditional programs of classical (Wabash College) chamber music), Ms. Shagan fails to recently hosted Tony discuss the disparity between the trends, Kushner, Pulitzer or address the national climate which Prize-winning author, has given rise to such conflict. Lately at Wabash where there have been a number of studies Fisher will direct the published on future trends affecting first college funding sources, audience development, production of Angels and the need to develop community or in America. Part I. education based performing arts events Milleniunz in order to guard against public Approaches, in adversity towards the arts. A reader October 1996. Jim would benefit more from researching also recently taught a this topic independently, rather than a ' - Tony Kushner, James Fisher relying on the cursory presentation of Kushner's plays. this subject provided by this book. Frank C. P. I highly recommend this book for all McGlinn, TLA member, private of the Free Library of Philadelphia. On libraries with a performing arts collector and "dean of Philadelphia this occasion, McGlinn was presented collection. Any librarian who has theater," was honored on April 14th at a with the Actors Fund Medal and purchased other arts administration 'gathering of some 80 people at the responded with some engaging stories titles will realize that given the field, the Charlotte Cushman Club in Center City. before he presented the Cushman Club book is a bargain. -- Jane T. Suda (The The attendees representing many with a poster of its namesake's New York Public Library) Philadelphia theatrical institutions appearance with William Macready in celebrated McGlinn's enduring service an 1843 production of Macbeth. MEMBER NEWS to the theatre. McGlinn has served groups such as the Actors Fund of Scott Douglas Morrow recently Martin Blank (The College of Staten America, the Edwin Forrest Home and completed a residency as part of Island, City University of New York) the Friends of the American Theatre Valdosta State University's Diversity edited Critical Essays on Thornton Wing, and offered advice and support to Week Celebration from April 21st - Wder(G.K.Hal1, Inc./Macmillan, 1995) institutions like the Walnut Street 26th. A highlight of the residency was which collects nearly 70 years of Theatre and the People's Light and the performance of excerpts from criticism of his novels, plays, essays and Theatre Company. He served on the Morrow's evening length ballet in journals, and multiple approaches to Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and on progress "Rhythm of Rapture," set to Wilder studies. Three new essays were panels of the national council. He has traditional music from West Africa, commissioned for this work. donated much of his extensive collection Cuba and Haiti as well as orchestra of theater ephemera to area organiza- scores by Dizzy Gillespie and others. tions, especially the Theater Collection During the residency, Morrow presented

Vo1.23, No. 4-Vo1.24., No.1 Spring-Summer 1996 6 a series of lectures, seminars, master classes and workshops for students, TLA'S DISTINGUISHED LIBRARIAN AWARD faculty and administrators from a wide Call for Nominations for 1996 Award array of disciplines. The 19% Distinguished Librarian Award will be presented in May of 1997 Paul R. Palmer loaned items from his at the ceremony for the Theatre Library Association-George Freedley personal collection of autographed Awards. Past award winners were Paul Myers and Dorothy Swerdlove, both photographs, including some film former curators of the Theatre Collection, New York Public Library for the personalities, to the Grolier Club for an Performing Arts. The Award acknowledges and honors a member of our exhibition which runs from June 12 to profession -- including but not limited to librarians, curators, scholars or July 31, 1996. collectors -- who has made an outstanding and signif~cantcontribution to performing arts librarianship. This contribution may be either a slngle Louis A. Rachow (International Theatre achievement or a career of dedicated service to the field and profession. Institute of the United States) delivered Nominations are invited from our membership at large. Please indicate the a paper titled "Collective Memory of a name of the person you wish to see honored along with a brief description Continent: The Theatre of Latin of the person's contribution. America Collection" at the June 1996 Seminar on the Acquisition of Latin Nominations should be sent to: American Library Materials (SALALM Bob Taylor, Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Collection XLI), hosted by the Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Libraries at New York University and 40 Lincoln Center Plaza The New York Public Library in New York, NY 100227498 cooperation with the NYU/Columbia Consortium for Latin American Studies.

EXHIBITIONS hundreds of American opera houses, Tues. thru Sun., 10:OOam-12:OOpm; The Monte Cristo Cottage and The town halls and tent theatres. The 12:30pm-4:30pm. Rest of the year: Eugene O'Neill Theater Center has just collection also includes items from Mon. thru Fri., 1:OOpm-4:OOpm. The opened the exhibition Eugene O'Neill's Chautauqua, showboats and minstrel museum is at 1887 Threshers Road, Mt. New London The 'Ah, Wilderness!' shows. Museum is open all year round. Pleasant, Iowa 52641. Tel.: 319-385- Years, 1888-1914. The exhibit was made From Memorial ~a~ to Labor Day: 9432 or 385-8937. Fax: 319-385-0563. possible by the generous support of The Connecticut Humanities Council, The - - - - - Frank Loomis Palmer Fund and the TLA ANNUAL BUSINESS and MEMBERS MEETING Friends of the Monte Cristo Cottage. Hold that Date! -- October 25, 1996 at the Shubert Archive, 149 W. 45th St., NYC 10036. Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana houses a unique collection of Tel. 212-944-3895. Fax: 212-944-4139. memorabilia from early American popular entertainment -- the "seed" of Richard M. Buck, longtime Secretary/Treasurer of TLA, is which is Neil and Caroline Schaffner's retiring and moving to Miami at the end of the year. Come private collection. Stage drops, quaint and wish Dick well. artifacts, a massive computer-catalogued library, scripts and music scores dating from the 1850s are arrayed for the The program will feature Dr. Mary C. Henderson who will curious visitor. The photographs, show speak on researching her biography of Jo Mielziner. heralds, playbills, scrapbooks, Business meeting: 5:OO-6:OOPM. newspapers, costumes and scenery are Reception: 6:OO-6:30PM. from touring companies that played in Program: 6:30-7:30PM.

Vo1.23, No. 4-Vo1.24., No.1 Spring-Summer 19% 7 CALENDAR

September 1-7, 1%. 2lst International Congress of SIBMAS, in Helsinki, Finland at the Theatre Museum and at the Central Library for the Performing Arts and Dance. The theme is: Winds of Change. To help SIBMAS members cope with the new technologies and compete in the market for funds & audiences, special attention will be given to audiovisual displays & multimedia. The conference will focus on four major topics: electronic documentation; exhibitions and education; marketing, publicity and fundraising; computing and new technologies. For information, contact: Hanna-Leena Helavuori, Theatre Museum, Tallberginkatu 1 F 2/73 00180 Helsinki, Finland Tel.: + (358)-0-6945088 Fax: + (358)-0-6945211

October 25, 1%. Theatre Library Association. Annual Business Meeting, 5:00-6:00PM. Reception, 6:00-6:30 PM. Program (Dr. Mary C. Henderson on her biography of Jo Mielziner), 6:30-7:30PM. At the Shubert Archive, 149 West 45th St., NYC 10036.

November 4-11,1996. International Chekhov Conference THE FLIGHT OF THE SEAGULL, St. Petersburg 1996, St. Petersburg Theatre Arts Academy, Department of Theatre Studies, Mokhovaia Street, 35, St. Petersburg Russia 191028. Fax: 812-2721789 Tel.: 812-2730812. Contact: Prof. Alexander Chepurov.

November 14-17,1996. American Society for Theatre ResearchITheatre Library Association Annual Meeting, in Pasadena, CA. Theme: "Border Crossings": it is an appropriate moment to reflect upon the ways that theatre -- the art, institution, and the discipline -- has been defined by complex and shifting boundaries or borders, constructed both from within and from without. TLA will present a panel on "Film Collections in Southern California." Brigitte Kueppers (UCLA) will coordinate the panel. The panel will be held on Fri., Nov. 15, from 2:00-3:00PM, in the Huntington Library.

Officers of the Theatre Library Association (founded 1937): President, Geraldine Duclow, Head, Theatre Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia; Vice President, Robert Taylor, Curator, Theatre Collection, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; Executive Secretary, Maryann Chach, Shubert Archive; Treasurer, Richard M. Buck, Assistant to the Executive Director, The New York P~blicLibrary for the Performing Arts; Recording Secretary, Rosemary L. Cullen, Brown University. Broadside ISSN: 0068-2748, published quarterly by the Theatre Library Association, 111 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10023, is sent to all members in good standing. Editor: Maryann Chach. TLA membership (annual dues: $20 personal, $25 institutional) also includes Performing Arts Resources, published annually. Current members may purchase past issues of PAR, $10 prepaid, and Broadside, $2 prepaid.

1 Theatre Library Association NONPROFIT ORG. 111 Amsterdam Avenue U S. POSTAGE New YorL, N.Y. 10023 PAID ,T=- 1 1 NEW YORK, N.Y. I PERMIT NO. 2632 I

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