‘Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good’ - a small archive of original run production scripts from some of Broadway’s most acclaimed productions. All six scripts come from the estate of Harold - Hal - Prince, who produced and or directed such landmark musicals as Fiddler On The Roof, Cabaret, West Side Story, Company, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Evita, Phantom Of the Opera, and many more. He garnered 21 Tony Awards during his illustrious career, eight for directing, eight for producing the year’s Best Musical, two as Best Producer of a Musical, and three special awards.
Broadway scripts from such noted productions are rare in commerce, with this representing a selection of high points of 20th-century Broadway in their original theatrical runs. This small assemblage of scripts was gathered together to aid cast and crew in bringing these important shows to their opening nights on Broadway. All scripts can be dated to their original Broadway runs and were printed in small numbers for personnel only.
1 Company (1970): Original Playing Version (dated September 26th 1970) script, numbered in manuscript ink as copy 12. Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking exploration of modern relationships and the complexities of city life. Brimming with wit and psychological depth, offering a unique glimpse into Sondheim’s genius at the height of his career.
2 A Little Night Music (1973): Original Playing Version (5th March 1973) marked in manuscript ink as copy 45. In titled yellow binding as issued by production.
A Sondheim masterpiece, which is a dazzling blend of romantic intrigue, sophisticated musicality, and tragicomic depth. With its lush score and memorable melodies, it is a cornerstone of American musical theatre with such musical standards as ‘Send in The Clowns.’
3 Fiddler on the Roof (1964) An original Final Playing Version script (dated September 22nd 1964.) Marked as copy 23 in manuscript ink. In titled brown binding as issued by production. A script from the heartwarming and culturally rich musical by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, and Joseph Stein. Set in the pre-revolutionary Russian Empire, it celebrates family, tradition, and the strength of the human spirit. It is often viewed as the most important musical in authentically expressing Jewish identity and culture.
4 Evita (1976) An original script from the original Broadway run of the beloved show documenting the life of Argentine First Lady Eva Perón. This original script reveals the powerful combination of music and narrative that elevated Evita to international acclaim. Marked as copy 103 in manuscript ink. In blue titled binding as issued by production.
5 Funny Girl (1964) An original early draft script (dated September 6th 1963.) The script from the beloved musical that introduced the world to Barbra Streisand. This story of Fanny Brice's rise to fame is rich in humour, heartache, and unforgettable songs. Red die-cut window binding as issued.
6 Pacific Overtures (1976) Numbered copy 5 in manuscript ink, in titled binding as issued. Another Sondheim classic, this musical centres around the history of Japan's Westernization in the 19th century. Its intricate storytelling and innovative structure highlight Sondheim’s unparalleled ability to blend history with musical theatre.
