George Abbott "BROADWAY" Violet Dunn / Eleanor Hicks 1927 London Program

Description

This is a rare programme (playbill) from the Original
West End production
of the PHILIP DUNNING and GEORGE ABBOTT musical play "BROADWAY" at the Adelphi Theatre in London. (The
Original Broadway production
opened September 16th, 1926
at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City
and ran for 603 performances. The West End production opened December 22nd, 1926 at London's Strand Theatre, later transferred to the Adelphi Theatre and ran for 252 performances.) ..... The cast included WALTER ARMIN, ROY LLOYD, ELEANOR HICKS, OLGA HANSON, BEN WELDEN, JOSEPHINE EVANS, OLIVE BLAKENEY,
KAREN PETERSON,
LILIAN LYNDON, BUNTY O'NOLAN, VIOLET DUNN, BERNARD J. NEDELL, CARLO DE ANGELO, JOSEPH CREHAN, GERALD LUNDEGARD, HARTLEY POWER, VICTOR TREMAINE, CLIFFMAN JEWELL and ALEC HARFORD .....
Biography:
After completing his studies at Harvard University, GEORGE ABBOTT (1887-1995) made his first appearance as an actor on Broadway in "The Misleading Lady" in 1913. While acting in several plays in New York City, he began to write, with this first successful play being 1925's "The Fall Guy". He moved on to work in Hollywood as a writer and director, while continuing with his theatre work. During his amazing career, he was associated with 119 Broadway productions as a performer, author, director or producer. His most notable directorial efforts were "Jumbo", "On Your Toes", "The Boys from Syracuse", "Pal Joey" (all Rodgers and Hart shows), "On the Town" (with Comden and Green, Leonard Bernstein), "High Button Shoes", "Where's Charley?", "Call Me Madam", "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", "Wonderful Town", "The Pajama Game" (in which Bob Fosse got his break as a choreographer), "Damn Yankees", "Fiorello!", "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (Stephen Sondheim's first musical as both composer and lyricist), "Flora the Red Menace" (Kander and Ebb's first musical together, and Liza Minnelli's Broadway debut at age 19). In addition to his other activities, Abbott acquired a reputation as an astute (and ruthless)
show doctor
: when a show was having difficulties in tryouts or previews, he would be called in to supervise changes. In 1965 the 54th St. Theatre (previously the Adelphi Theatre) was named the George Abbott Theatre in his honor. The theatre was demolished in 1970. Abbott died of a stroke in Miami Beach, Florida at the age of 107 and remains one of the most admired men in the history of Broadway
..... CREDITS: Book by PHILIP DUNNING and GEORGE ABBOTT; Sets designed by ARTHUR P. SEGAL; Dances staged by JOHN BOYLE and BILLY PIERCE; Directed by PHILIP DUNNING and GEORGE ABBOTT; Produced by MUSICAL PLAYS in association with JED HARRIS ..... DETAILS: The eighteen page program measures 5 3/8" X 8 1/2" inches and includes beautiful cover graphics, full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, nine production credits and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast bios ..... CONDITION: With the exception of minor edge wear, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.