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Playbill 1963 – Broadway’s Here's Love at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre

Step into the heart of mid-century Broadway with this original 1963 Playbill from Here’s Love, a musical adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street composed, written, and lyrically crafted by the legendary Meredith Willson. This rare theatrical artifact hails from the Sam S. Shubert Theatre, where the production opened on October 3, 1963, and ran for 334 performances until July 25, 1964.

The cast was led by Laurence Naismith as Kris Kringle, Janis Paige as Doris Walker, Craig Stevens as Fred Gaily, Fred Gwynne as Marvin Shellhammer, and Valerie Lee as Susan Walker. Supporting roles featured Paul Reed (R. H. Macy), David Doyle (Mr. Psawyer), Cliff Hall (Judge Martin Group), and Larry Douglas (District Attorney Thomas Mara), among many others including future Broadway luminaries like Michael Bennett and Baayork Lee in ensemble roles.

Behind the scenes, the production was directed by Stuart Ostrow, with choreography by the legendary Michael Kidd. Musical direction and vocal arrangements were handled by Elliot Lawrence, with orchestrations by Don Walker and dance arrangements by Peter Howard. Scenic design was a collaboration between William and Jean Eckart, costumes by Alvin Colt, and lighting by Tharon Musser. Hair design was credited to Ernest Adler, with general management by Joseph Harris and company management by Sam Pagliaro.

The Playbill itself is a time capsule of 1960s New York, featuring period advertisements from Columbia Records, showcasing the cast recording, and bold placements for Dewar’s Scotch Whisky, among others. It’s not just a program—it’s a cultural snapshot of Broadway’s creative peak.