Original Listing Description

This is a rare February 27th, 1947 "Playgoer" playbill from the three-night, out-of-town tryout and WORLD PREMIERE engagement of the obscure ARTHUR LAURENTS play "HEARTSONG" at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. (The production opened February 27th, 1947 at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven and closed March 29th, 1947 at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, cancelling the scheduled Broadway opening.) ..... "HEARTSONG" would have been Arthur Laurents' second Broadway play, had it arrived in New York. From the beginning the production had problems, including the original leading lady, NANCY COLEMAN, quitting after only three days of rehearsal, the original leading man being replaced and then his replacement, LLOYD BRIDGES quitting, the original director being fired, and the script receiving extensive rewrites. When the show finally opened in Philadelphia, it was a flop and would intentionally be left out of all of Arthur Laurents' future bios. Laurents' future career did not suffer however, as he went on to write the libretto for such hit shows as Gypsy and West Side Story ..... The play starred LLOYD BRIDGES (replaced in Philadelphia by BARRY NELSON), KAY STEWART (replaced in Philadelphia by PHYLLIS THAXTER), SHIRLEY BOOTH, JAY FASSETT and SUSAN DOUGLAS ..... CREDITS: Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS ("West Side Story", "The Time of the Cuckoo", "Gypsy", "Anyone Can Whistle", "Do I Hear a Waltz?", "Nick & Nora"); Sets designed by STEWART CHANEY; Directed by PHYLLIS LOUGHTON (replaced in Philadelphia by MELCHOR G. FERRER); Produced by IRENE M. SELZNICK ..... DETAILS: The 36 page playbill measures 6 1/8" X 9 1/4" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, bios of each of the actors and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast photos ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a vertical fold and light edge wear, this playbill 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.

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Playbill collectors and appraisers.