| Title: | Albert and Hilda Biller Collection |
| Creator: | Biller, Albert and Hilda |
| Repository: | ECU Manuscript Collection |
| Languages: | English |
| Abstract: | Collection (1936-1985, undated) of programs (the majority published by Playbill), librettos and souvenir pamphlets documenting plays, theatrical dance and musical productions performed in New York City and Stockholm. The publications are printed in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish languages. |
| Extent: | 1.0 Cubic feet, 1 container 2 archival boxes, of programs (the majority published by Playbill), librettos and souvenir pamphlets documenting plays, theatrical dance and musical productions performed in New York City and Stockholm. The publications are printed in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish languages. |
September 18, 2007 1.0 cubic foot; Collection (1936-1985, undated) of programs (the majority published by Playbill), librettos and souvenir pamphlets documenting plays, theatrical dance and musical productions performed in New York City and Stockholm. The publications are printed in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish languages. Acquired at the request of The East Carolina University School of Theatre and Dance. Donor: Mrs. Ilene Karlsson.
No restrictions
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.
Albert and Hilda Biller Collection (#1114), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Encoded by Mark Custer, December 31, 2007
Processed by S. Pinkham April 2009
This collection of programs was amassed by the donor’s parents, Albert and Hilda Biller, through their attendance of numerous theatrical productions from 1936-1982 while on trips to New York City and Stockholm. The bulk of the programs were printed by Playbill, published by The New York Theatre Program Corporation. Playbill was first printed in 1884, and usually included a cast list, song list, as well as cast photos and biographies.
This collection consists of programs (the majority published by Playbill) and souvenir pamphlets documenting plays and musical productions performed in New York City and Stockholm from 1936-1982. Among the shows represented are multiple award winning performances, including Carousel, A Chorus Line, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello, Dolly!, Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady, The Nutcracker, Porgy and Bess and South Pacific. Also present is a Playbill program from the 1937 production of Tobacco Road autographed by actor Al Biletsky. Many of the programs also include articles describing current events in the theater world, as well as contemporary advertisements for a variety of products, including automobiles, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. The publications are printed in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish languages. The collection also includes programs documenting various operas and ballets performed from the late 1930s until 1979. Among these are performances at the Metropolitan Opera House, The New York City Center, The Federal Theater (in operation as part of the WPA Theater Project at that time) and the Kungliga Teatern in Stockholm. The collections is divided into five series: Plays, Operas, Ballets, Musicals and Other. The “Other” series contains only one item, a menu dated May 7, 1938 from Famous Dairy Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. See the container list for further details on all materials.
Barefoot in the Park (June 1965) Playwright: Neil Simon. Director: Mike Nichols. Mrs. Banks played by Mildred Natwick; Victor Velasco played by Kurt Kasznar; Corie Bratter played by Penny Fuller. Biltmore Theater. (New York ed.: Playbill, Inc., © 1965) Periodical. 1 item. 28 p.
The Nutcracker (December 30, 1956) Author: E.T.A. Hoffmann. Composer: P.I. Tschaikovsky. Conductor: Hugo Fiorato. Dr. Silberhaus played by Walter Georgov; Mary played by Zina Bethune; Soldier played by Roy Tobias and Jonathan Watts. New York City Center of Music and Drama. (New York ed.: Playbill, Inc.© 1956) Program. 1 item. 16 p. Notes: Conservation info: Pages 5-8 and 15 creased.
Online access to this finding aid is supported with funds created through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). These funds come through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services which is administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. This grant is part of the North Carolina ECHO, Exploring Cultural Heritage Online, Digitization Grant Program.