Description: This is a rare insert (flyer) from the January 5th, 1948 performance of the Broadway revival of the MARC BLITZSTEIN play in music "THE CRADLE WILL ROCK" noting that "A CRADLE CONCERT" with members of the cast and JOSE LIMON and his Company would open the play. (The revival opened December 26th, 1947 at the Mansfield Theatre in New York City and ran for only 21 performances. After a brief hiatus, the production returned on January 28th, 1948 to New York's Broadway Theatre for an additional thirteen performances.) ..... The musical starred ALFRED DRAKE and featured VIVIAN VANCE, WILL GEER, MURIEL SMITH, DAVID THOMAS, ESTELLE LORING, EDWARD S. BRYCE, JESSE WHITE, TAGGART CASEY, HAROLD PATRICK, BROOKS DUNBAR, JACK ALBERTSON, CHANDLER COWLES, HOWARD BLAINE, LESLIE LITOMY, EDMUND HEWITT, RAY FRY, ROBERT PIERSON, DENNIS KING, Jr., JO HURT, STEPHEN WEST DOWNER, MARIE LEIDAL, WALTER SCHEFF, REX COSTON, GIL HOUSTON and HOWARD SHANET ..... Historical background: Originally part of the Federal Theatre Project, The Cradle Will Rock is a Brechtian allegory of corruption and corporate greed which takes place in Steeltown, U.S.A. during a union drive. The WPA temporarily shut down the original project four days before it was to begin previews on June 16th, 1937 at New York's Maxine Elliott Theatre. The WPA claimed that due to budget cuts, it would be reorganizing all of its arts projects (WPA plays, musicals, concerts and gallery showings), putting everything on hold until after July 1st, 1937; however, many asserted that the musical had been censored because the pro-union plot was too radical. The theatre was padlocked and surrounded by security to prevent anyone from stealing the props and costumes, as these were considered U.S. Government property. Director ORSON WELLES, producer JOHN HOUSEMAN and composer MARC BLITZSTEIN, seeking a way to privately produce the show, rented out the much larger Venice Theatre and a piano just in time for the scheduled preview. The 600 audience members, who had gathered outside the Maxine Elliott Theatre for the preview, traveled 21 blocks north to the Venice Theatre, many on foot. The sold-out house grew even larger when the show's creators invited people off the street to attend for free. The musician's union refused to play for the show unless producer JOHN HOUSEMAN could provide their full salaries, and Actors' Equity Association stated that its members could not perform onstage at the new theatre without approval of the show's original producer (the Federal Government). The show's creators thus planned for Blitzstein to perform the entire musical at the piano and the cast members would sing their parts from the audience. On June 18th, 1937, HELEN DEUTSCH, press agent for the Theatre Guild, agreed to serve as the new financial backer for The Cradle Will Rock. John Houseman announced that the musical would continue to be performed with Blitzstein playing piano onstage and the cast members singing from the audience. The success of the production led ORSON WELLES and JOHN HOUSEMAN to form the MERCURY THEATRE. The Mercury Theatre's production of The Cradle Will Rock opened January 3rd, 1938 at the Windsor Theatre and ran for 108 performances. The show was recorded with the original cast and Blitzstein's piano accompaniment making it the first Original Cast recording. (Wikipedia) ..... CREDITS: ("THE CRADLE WILL ROCK") Book, Music and Lyrics by MARC BLITZSTEIN; Orchestra conducted by HOWARD SHANET; Directed by HOWARD DA SILVA; Produced by MICHAEL MYERBERG ..... CREDITS: ("LAMENT FOR IGNACIO SANCHEZ MEJIAS") Based on the poem by GARCIA LORCA; Music by NORMAN LLOYD; Choreographed by DORIS HUMPHREY ..... DETAILS: Advertising handbills (heralds) were distributed or inserted into the playbills of other productions to help generate ticket sales for upcoming shows and events. This single page, one-sided flyer measures 6 1/4" X 9" inches and includes credits and performance details on the front. The backside is blank ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a small tear at the top and a rough bottom edge, this rare flyer is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard. Pay me securely with any major credit card through PayPal!
Price: 49.99 USD
Location: Cannon Beach, Oregon
End Time: 2025-01-14T05:14:31.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.95 USD
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Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
