Nov 14, 2024 10:00 EST
Stage & Screen
136
The Stage Manager's extensively annotated script for the first production of Sondheim's Company
STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Company. A Musical Comedy. [New York: circa March 1970]. Stage Manager James Bronson's heavily annotated script with his signature to the title and elsewhere, the script numbered "30" on the title page in ink, the script tabbed by scene, approximately 85 pages plus several inserted sheets dated between 13 February and 21 April 1970, the script appears complete excepting leaf 1-3-31, the sheets with pencil annotation to almost every page, a cast and staff list with addresses laid-in, all held in a black cloth binder with a "Company" label to the upper cover. Some old dampstaining and wear from handling and use, the script loose from binder.
Stephen Sondheim's Company, directed by Hal Prince, opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on April 26th, 1970. This was the first collaboration between Sondheim and Hal Prince, who would go on to produce together many of the top musicals of the period. Company eschewed a straightforward plot in favor of playing on themes of love and marriage and brought us such memorable songs as "Side by Side", "Being Alive", and "Getting Married Today." This is Stage Manager James Bronson's heavily annotated script from the rehearsals that took place in the two months before the opening. Bronson has provided a few diagrams showing the stage throughout and the script was heavily reworked between February 1970 and the opening at the end of April. On the verso of the staff list, Bronson has listed the dates of the Boston previews and various rehearsals. Such materials are scarce.
James Lord Bronson (1921-1988) was the production/stage manager for the opening run of many legendary Broadway shows including: Stephen Sondheim’s Gypsy at the Broadway and Imperial Theatres, 1959 to 1962, with Ethel Merman and Jack Klugman; A Family Affair at the Billy Rose Theatre, 1962, with Shelley Berman; Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Alvin, Mark Hellinger and Majestic Theatres, 1962-1964, with Zero Mostel, David Burns and John Carradine; Fiddler on the Roof at the Imperial, Majestic and Broadway Theatres, 1964-1972; Zorba at the Imperial, 1968-1969; Cabaret with Zero Mostel and Beatrice Arthur at the Broadhurst, Imperial and Broadway Theatres, 1966-1969; and Stephen Sondheim’s Company at the Alvin Theatre, 1970.
Sold for $3,520
Estimated at $2,000 - $3,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Company. A Musical Comedy. [New York: circa March 1970]. Stage Manager James Bronson's heavily annotated script with his signature to the title and elsewhere, the script numbered "30" on the title page in ink, the script tabbed by scene, approximately 85 pages plus several inserted sheets dated between 13 February and 21 April 1970, the script appears complete excepting leaf 1-3-31, the sheets with pencil annotation to almost every page, a cast and staff list with addresses laid-in, all held in a black cloth binder with a "Company" label to the upper cover. Some old dampstaining and wear from handling and use, the script loose from binder.
Stephen Sondheim's Company, directed by Hal Prince, opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on April 26th, 1970. This was the first collaboration between Sondheim and Hal Prince, who would go on to produce together many of the top musicals of the period. Company eschewed a straightforward plot in favor of playing on themes of love and marriage and brought us such memorable songs as "Side by Side", "Being Alive", and "Getting Married Today." This is Stage Manager James Bronson's heavily annotated script from the rehearsals that took place in the two months before the opening. Bronson has provided a few diagrams showing the stage throughout and the script was heavily reworked between February 1970 and the opening at the end of April. On the verso of the staff list, Bronson has listed the dates of the Boston previews and various rehearsals. Such materials are scarce.
James Lord Bronson (1921-1988) was the production/stage manager for the opening run of many legendary Broadway shows including: Stephen Sondheim’s Gypsy at the Broadway and Imperial Theatres, 1959 to 1962, with Ethel Merman and Jack Klugman; A Family Affair at the Billy Rose Theatre, 1962, with Shelley Berman; Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Alvin, Mark Hellinger and Majestic Theatres, 1962-1964, with Zero Mostel, David Burns and John Carradine; Fiddler on the Roof at the Imperial, Majestic and Broadway Theatres, 1964-1972; Zorba at the Imperial, 1968-1969; Cabaret with Zero Mostel and Beatrice Arthur at the Broadhurst, Imperial and Broadway Theatres, 1966-1969; and Stephen Sondheim’s Company at the Alvin Theatre, 1970.
Auction: Stage & Screen, Nov 14, 2024
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Archive of Grace Letters Tops $165K at Stage & Screen Auction on November 14, 2024
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Memorabilia, Autographs, Artwork & Photographs of the Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Fans and collectors from around the world convered at Doyle November 14, 2024 for the popular Stage & Screen auction. Held in collaboration with the Entertainment Community Fund, Stage & Screen offered artwork, memorabilia, autographs and photographs celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance.
Archive of Grace Kelly Letters Achieves $165,600!
In 1949, twenty year old Grace Kelly moved into the Barbizon Hotel for Women in Manhattan, seeking out Broadway auditions and paying modeling gigs. In 1956, Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco in one the greatest fairy tale weddings the world had ever seen. In the years between, Kelly starred in stylish Alfred Hitchcock films such as Rear Window and To Catch a Thief and won an Oscar for her performance in The Country Girl. In that first year in New York City, Grace Kelly met Prudence Wise who became a life long friend, personal secretary, and frequent correspondent. Offered is the largest known group of signed handwritten and typed letters, notes, personal photographs of Kelly and her children, and ephemera to come to market. The archive traces Grace Kelly’s remarkable journey from New York to Hollywood to Monaco in her own words in this substantial group of unpublished letters. View Lot
The Estate of Jerry Herman (Lots 142 - 255)
Doyle was honored to auction property from the Estate of Jerry Herman, the legendary composer/lyricist of such iconic musicals as Hello Dolly!, Mame and La Cage aux Folles. Read More
The Personal Collection of Al Jaffee (Lots 301 - 453)
Doyle was MADly excited to auction property from the Personal Collection of the legendary cartoonist Al Jaffee renowned for his groundbreaking work in MAD Magazine. The Collection will be auctioned on Friday, November 15. Read More
The Entertainment Community Fund
Recognizing the importance of the performing arts to the fabric of New York, Doyle is proud to donate 10% of our profit from this auction to the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For further information on the Entertainment Community Fund, visit EntertainmentCommunity.org
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact
Memorabilia: Peter Costanzo, 212-427-4141, ext 248, Peter.Costanzo@Doyle.com
Artwork: Milan Tessler, 212-427-4141, ext 266, paintings@Doyle.com
