Title: An Apologetic Typed Letter Signed by the American Theater Producer Roger L. Stevens, As Chairman of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Apologizing to Jean Dalrymple Who Was Apparently Upset About Being Left out of the Loop in the Production of a Revival.
Description: New York, February 19, 1983. 1983. - Over 220 words typed on 11 inch high by 8-1/4 inch wide creamy white "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" stationery with the center's logo and title printed in teal & green at the top. Responding to his friend City Center producer and ANTA's executive director Jean Dalrymple who was upset at being left out of the loop in decisions made in staging a revival of "On Your Toes". Stevens begins by saying that "I am distressed by your letter. I had no intention of upsetting you.." He goes on to describe how the project had "started off on a very small scale and somehow ballooned into a monster." Though most of the money was put up by the Kennedy Center, ANTA (the American National Theater and Academy) still had substantial funding involved. He explains that "From the beginning, we ran into a beehive of problems, not the least of which was Makarova's shocking injury; and with it all, we never really sat down and thought very clearly about the relation of ANTA and the Kennedy Canter." To appease her, Stevens hopes to have her attend the first preview with him and offer her opinion. "..the first preview is on Tuesday, March 1, and I very much hope that you will attend that with me and Delly and give us your opinion." Signed "Roger". Folded for mailing, else fine.
The ballerina Natalia Makarova was injured by falling scenery during a performance of "On Your Toes", and was replaced in the role by Valentina Kozlova. The Virginia Theater opening was delayed and re-scheduled for March 6. Delly, to whom Stevens refers, is Alfred de Liagre, the executive producer for ANTA.
Roger L. Stevens [1910-1998] was an American theatrical producer, arts administrator and real estate executive. He was the founding chairman of both the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts [1961] and the National Endowment for the Arts [1965]. He produced more than a hundred plays and musicals over his career, including "West Side Story", "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "Bus Stop". He became known for introducing plays by such adventurous writers as Harold Pinter, Arthur Kopit and Tom Stoppard.
Jean Dalrymple (1902-1998) was the dynamic producer and director of theater and light-opera at Manhattan's City Center. Dalrymple began her career in vaudeville, appearing with James Cagney and Cary Grant in the early 1930s. She was a founding member of the American Theatre Wing, the theatre service organization. She worked over the years as a personal manager for the likes of Leopold Stokowski, Mary Martin, Jose Iturbi, Andre Kostelanetz, Nathan Milstein, and Lily Pons. She began her work at City Center with its founding in 1943, serving as a board member and publicist. Her productions there from the 1940s through the 1960s were a revitalizing influence on the whole New York theatre scene. In 1951, Jean Dalrymple married Major-General Philip deWitt Ginder, commander of the Thunderbirds in Korea. She was a friend to Presidents and entertainment personalities throughout the world. Fine .
Keywords: THEATER; THEATRE; JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS; CHAIRMAN; ROGER L. STEVENS; TYPED LETTER SIGNED; SIGNATURE; AUTOGRAPH; JEAN DALRYMPLE; MANHATTAN CITY CENTER PRODUCER; MANAGER; 20TH CENTURY; TWENTIETH CENTURY; ON YOUR TOES; RODGERS AND HA
- Book number: 96514
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