Description :

Auction Showcase – Rare Stage & Broadcast Ephemera from 1946–1987

This curated auction lot features a stunning array of authentic programs, playbills, and broadcast documentation from landmark theatrical and televised productions between 1946 and 1987. Each item is tied to a specific, verifiable release—not a touring or revival version—and highlights the full credited cast, creative teams, and production staff as originally presented.

Lot Highlights Include:

“That’s Showbiz! 100 Years of Musical Favorites” – A tribute production starring Pamela Brooks and Jack Brooks, conceived and directed by Jack Brooks, celebrating the legacy of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. This performance honors the golden age of operetta and musical film, with archival staging and musical direction faithful to the original MGM stylings.

“The Oprah Winfrey Show – South African Struggles” (Original Broadcast: July 8, 1987; Repeat: August 14, 1987) – A pivotal episode hosted by Oprah Winfrey, produced by Debra DiMaio and directed by Jim McPharlin, spotlighting apartheid-era challenges and global activism. This broadcast marked a turning point in daytime television’s engagement with international human rights.

“Something More!” – A new musical comedy presented by Lester Osterman, starring Arthur Hill and Barbara Cook, with book by Nate Monaster and direction by Jule Styne. This 1964 Broadway production featured music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Marilyn and Alan Bergman, and choreography by Bob Herget, with scenic design by Jo Mielziner and costumes by Lucinda Ballard.

“Brigadoon” at Melodyland Auditorium – Presented by Ben Kapen’s Melodyland, starring Robert Horton in the role of Tommy Albright. This Southern California staging of the Lerner and Loewe classic was a regional highlight, with direction and choreography faithful to the original Broadway blueprint.

“Flower Drum Song” – A lavish production featuring music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and direction by Gene Kelly. The cast includes Miyoshi Umeki, Larry Blyden, Juanita Hall, Keye Luke, Ed Kenney, Arabella Hong, and Pat Suzuki. This staging preserved the original Broadway choreography by Carol Haney, with scenic design by Oliver Smith and costumes by Irene Sharaff.

“The Royal Danish Ballet” (War Memorial Opera House, Nov 5–9, 1965) – Presented by S. Hurok under the patronage of His Majesty King Frederik IX of Denmark, featuring dancers from the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. General Manager Jens Louis Petersen oversaw the production, with teaching and staging by Vera Volkova, Hans Brenaa, and Frank Schaufuss. Directed by M.F. Jorgensen, with stage management by Knud Hogenhaven and Poul Vessel. Presented under the auspices of the Cosmopolitan Music and Arts Association.

“The Stuttgart Ballet” (Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, Spring 1971) – A celebrated engagement starring Marcia Haydée and Richard Cragun, with artistic direction by John Cranko. This New York season featured Cranko’s original choreography and included works such as “Onegin” and “Romeo and Juliet.”

“Spring Opera Theatre – April 9 to May 3, 1968” – Produced by the San Francisco Opera, with Robert D. Mackenzie as Chairman of the Board, J. Peter Cahill as President, and Charles E. Noble as Administrative Vice President. This season featured a mix of contemporary and classical operatic works, staged at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House.

“Spring Opera Theatre – 1969 Season” – Continuing under the San Francisco Opera, with Otto E. Meyer as Administrative Vice President and James H. Schwabacher Jr. as Artistic Vice President. This season expanded the repertoire with bold new stagings and emerging talent.

“Duel in the Sun” (1946) – A Technicolor epic produced by David O. Selznick, starring Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck, and Joseph Cotten. Directed by King Vidor (with uncredited contributions from William Dieterle, Sidney Franklin, and Joseph L. Mankiewicz), this cinematic saga of the Southwest was scored by Dimitri Tiomkin, with cinematography by Lee Garmes and costumes by Walter Plunkett.

Each item in this lot is a genuine artifact from its respective production or broadcast, not a reproduction or generalized edition. Ideal for collectors of theatrical memorabilia, television history, and cinematic ephemera, this set offers a rare glimpse into the artistry and legacy of 20th-century performance culture.

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