George Abbott "BROADWAY" Helen Hayes "COQUETTE" Tryout 1927 Philadelphia Program

Description

This is a rare October 17th, 1927 combined program (playbill) for the Shubert's Philadelphia Theatres ..... Currently playing at Philadelphia's Lyric Theatre was the National Tour engagement of the PHILIP DUNNING and GEORGE ABBOTT play "BROADWAY". (The production opened September 16th, 1926 at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City and ran for 603 performances while simultaneously playing on the road.) ..... The ensemble cast included MARIO MAJERONI, GEORGE SWEET, VIOLET BARNEY, MIRIAM HARDING, EDWARD LA ROCHE, RUTH CONLEY, LUCILLE FENTON, HELEN SHAY, MURIEL CAMPBELL, DOROTHY RUSSELL, GERTRUDE HITZ, WALTER FENNER, JACK ADLER, M. TELLO WEBB, DESMOND GALLAGHER, JOHN R. HAMILTON, HORACE McMAHON, PHILIP FRANK and THOMAS AHEARN ..... 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. He 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; Costumes designed by Mme. CLARA SHUMAN; Dances staged by JOHN BOYLE and BILLY PIERCE; Directed by PHILIP DUNNING and GEORGE ABBOTT; Produced by JED HARRIS ..... Currently playing at Philadelphia's Adelphi Theatre was the two-week, Pre-Broadway engagement of the GEORGE ABBOTT and ANN PRESTON BRIDGERS play "COQUETTE". (The production would open November 8th, 1927 at Maxine Elliott's Theatre in New York City and ran for 366 performances.) ..... The play starred HELEN HAYES and featured ANDREW LAWLOR, Jr., CHARLES WALDRON, G. ALBERT SMITH, UNA MERKEL, FREDERICK BURTON, ABBIE MITCHELL, ELLIOT CABOT, GEORGE G. PENDLETON, PHYLLIS TYLER and HARLAN E. KNIGHT ..... CREDITS: Book by GEORGE ABBOTT and ANN PRESTON BRIDGERS; Sets and Costumes designed by RAYMOND SOVEY; Directed by GEORGE ABBOTT; Produced by JED HARRIS in association with CROSBY GAIGE ..... DETAILS: The 28 page program measures 5 1/4" X 7 5/8" inches and includes full production credits, cast lists, synopsis of scenes, promotional text and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast photos or bios ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this 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.
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