Title: A Typed Letter Signed by Alan Hewitt to the Widow of Robert E. Sherwood. Together with 8 Pages of Notes Outlining the Development of the 1936 Premiere of Robert E. Sherwood's Play "Idiot's Delight.
Description: New York: April 8, 1986. 1986. - Over 325 words typed on an 11 inch high by 8-1/2 inch wide sheet of Hewitt's personalized letterhead with his name and address printed at the top. In his letter to Robert E. Sherwood's widow, which accompanies a summary of substantial notes which he had made throughout the development of the original premiere of Sherwood's "Idiot's Delight", Hewitt states that "By the time I had thought of it, it was too late to do an article for The Washington Post, and get it printed, before the Kennedy Center revival of 'Idiot's Delight'. On the upper shelf of a closet, I found the diaries that I once kept, and decided to transcribe my notes of the original production, fifty years ago." Signed "Alan" in blue ink. The letter is accompanied by Hewitt's fascinating notes typed & later mechanically reproduced on both sides of 4 stapled sheets of 11 inch high by 8-1/2 inch wide paper. These notes about the 1936 production, transcribed by Hewitt on February 15, 1986, were once paper-clipped to the letter as attested to by paper-clip marks to the top edges. In the top left corner of the letter the recipient has noted in ink the date it was answered. The bottom right corner is creased. Very good.
Robert E. Sherwood's play "Idiot's Delight' premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in March 1936 and won the 1936 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Alan Hewitt was cast in the production which starred Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. When the play was revived at the Kennedy Center in March 1986, directed by Peter Sellars, Hewitt looked up the diaries he was keeping at the time of the original production and found the notes he had made on the process of rehearsing and developing the play. He sent the eight pages of notes to a friend in the Kennedy production, who was so pleased with them that he made copies for all the cast. He is now sending a copy to Madeline Sherwood, the playwright's widow.
Alan Hewitt's notes provide fascinating source material to the events leading up to and the process of staging Robert E. Sherwood's "Idiot's Delight". On Friday, Dec. 13, 1935, Hewitt has yet to be offered a role in the play and writes that the Lunts have very striking ideas for "Macbeth" and are seriously interested in James Elroy Flecker's "Hassan". Hewitt relates that, by December 30th, he was informed that the run of "Taming of the Shrew" in which he had a role would be foreshortened as the Lunts had decided on their new play. "Alfred Hunt called me down and said that there was no part for me in 'Idiot's Delight' by Robert E. Sherwood -- but that they would like me to play one of four Italian officers who speak nothing but Italian. It would mean less salary too. He said I could have a few days to think it over. I think I shall accept the offer, as I have nothing else in prospect and it would be well to get firmly cemented with the Lunts and with the Guild. Then, too, I am curious about the play, anxious to remain with the Lunts and the company because of friendly associations." Hewitt is also hoping that, as had happened before when he was promoted from playing a servant in "Taming of the Shrew" to the role of Lucentio, he might well get such an opportunity again.
Hewitt briefly comments on rehearsals and mundane events and then, on Tuesday January 21st, writes: "Miss Fontanne has already conceived a brilliant entrance for herself in the first act, but it should be grand, not just because she is a star but because of Irene's character. Windy [Bretaigne Windust] told me that it was Whorf's [Richard Whorf] idea to have her make a false entrance in the 2nd act, find no one in the lounge & return later when she could make an impression."
A few days later, on January 25th, Hewitt writes that "Windy told me that "Idiot's Delight' developed from an idea of Sherwood which was twisted around by the Lunts. It was built around the characters of a woman who was an awful liar & a man who was a traveling master of ceremonies. The story crystallized more firmly about a year ago, but Sherwood didn't get down to writing it. It was written comparatively recently & in a very fast time. Edward Sheldon told Sherwood that he thinks it is his best play.."
Though working on "Idiot's Delight", the Lunts are still involved in their ongoing productions which Hewitt summarizes thus: "The diary also notes several bits of new 'business' the the Lunts put into 'The Shrew'. Thinking about the new play didn't keep them from having fresh ideas for the current one.."
On February 23rd, Hewitt relates that "For the first time Lunt did some of the dance number is learning with the girls.." and observes that Lunt has been taking "10-minute lessons in tap dancing after each show from Arthur Chester, one of the horses. He is very funny about it."
On March 9th, Hewitt observes that "The audience response to the play was excellent & the cast took thirteen calls. They were full company calls again, the Lunts refusing to take any alone. Sherwood sent a telegram to the company & a very funny one to the six blondes, telling them not to steal the show from Lunt.."
Hewitt's notes cover the period through March 14th and he then goes on to make a comparative list of the company members who played roles in both the "Taming of the Shrew" and "Idiot's Delight" with the names of the character they played in each. He concludes with an account of the New York opening night: "People were shouting 'Bravo' & calling for the author, but Munsell shouted from the wings that Sherwood had locked himself in Lunt's dressing-room. On the 13th call, we all looked off L as if expecting Sherwood to appear; on the next call we all looked to the R. After a final call, the girls leaped at Lunt and covered his cheeks with lipstick, repeating the process with Russel Crouse & Sherwood. A pleasant incident of the evening occurred just after the second act, when Fontanne, as she entered her room, called to Lunt next door: 'Alfred, you were awfully good in that scene.'... Very good .
Keywords: THEATER; STAGE; ALAN HEWITT; TYPED LETTER SIGNED; DIARY NOTES; DEVELOPMENT OF THE 1936 PREMIERE; ROBERT SHERWOOD; PLAY; IDIOT'S DELIGHT; WIDOW OF ROBERT E. SHERWOOD; SIGNATURE; AUTOGRAPH; KENNEDY CENTER; AMERICAN STAGE & SCREEN ACTOR; ALFRED LUNT;
- Book number: 94794
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