Jerry Orbach (Signed) "42ND STREET" Anne Rogers 1984 Playbill / Insert / Ticket

Description

This is a rare March 1984 playbill (with a separate autographed title page) from the
Original Broadway production of the HARRY WARREN and AL DUBIN Song and Dance Fable of Broadway "42ND STREET" at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. (The production opened August 25th, 1980 at New York's Winter Garden Theatre, transferred to the Majestic Theatre on March 30th, 1981 and the St. James Theatre on April 7th, 1987, running for a combined 3486 performances.) ..... The Tony Award winning "Best Musical" starred JERRY ORBACH (who signed the separate title page with the inscription, "Best of Luck") and ANNE ROGERS and featured KAREN ZIEMBA, JAMES BRENNAN, JOSEPH BOVA, JESSICA JAMES, DANNY CARROLL, DON CRABTREE, STEVE ELMORE, STAN PAGE and DOROTHY STANLEY
..... Side Note: The Opening Night triumph of "42nd Street", highlighted by eleven curtain calls was overshadowed by tragedy. Following the final ovation, Producer DAVID MERRICK went onstage and announced, "This is tragic," drawing laughter from the ecstatic audience. He went on to explain that Director GOWER CHAMPION had lost his battle with cancer just hours before the performance, and the shocking announcement, made before the sold-out Opening Night house, including many critics and cameramen, drew a stunned silence. The producer had advised only book writer MARK BRAMBLE of Champion's death, managing to keep the news a secret from the cast (including WANDA RICHERT, the director's girlfriend), crew, and the public in order to guarantee nationwide headlines and extraordinary media publicity for the show the following day. "42nd Street" proved to be not only Champion's last show but Merrick's final success ..... CREDITS: Book by MICHAEL STEWART and MARK BRAMBLE based on the novel by BRADFORD ROPES; Music and Lyrics by HARRY WARREN and AL DUBIN; Sets designed by ROBIN WAGNER; Costumes designed by THEONI V. ALDREDGE; Directed and Choreographed by GOWER CHAMPION; Produced by DAVID MERRICK
..... DETAILS: The 84 page playbill measures 5 5/8" X 8 1/2" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers and bios of each of the leading actors and members of the creative team as well as two production photos. The separate title page, signed by JERRY ORBACH, includes a ticket stub from the March 7th, 1984 performance stapled to the lower right corner ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this rare set is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. These items will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.