Nov 14, 2024 10:00 EST

Stage & Screen

 
Lot 139
 

139

The archive of an original Merrily We Roll Along Broadway cast member

[STEPHEN SONDHEIM] CLARK SAYRE.

The archive of an original Merrily We Roll Along Broadway cast member. This archive was retained by Clark Sayre who played "Soundman" in the original Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along which opened at the Alvin Theatre on November 16th, 1981 and closed after just 16 performances. Present is:

1) Clark Sayre's annotated script bearing several signatures and annotations and corrections to lines, the script is approximately 120 copied sheets including several inserted leaves, the script without general title page and possibly lacking some pages. The order of the sheets within the notebook has been preserved as although the scenes are out of order this appears to be the order in which rewritten sheets were received, the earliest page is numbered 1-1-2 and the last 2-5-71 with hiatuses between. The sheets are variously dated from 10/10/81 through 11/13/81 (just two days before opening night!). The annotations are in pencil and ink. Some wear from handling and use, occasional stray stains, annotated as noted.

2) Four audio tape cassettes from rehearsals of Merrily We Go Along in fall 1981. The first tape offers the first day of rehearsal, Harold Prince's 1st day speech to the cast regarding the history/conceptualization of the production, and Stephen Sondheim singing songs at the piano including cut songs such as The Blob. The second tape features the first day vocal rehearsal of Paul Gemignani. The third tape records the October 30th rehearsal of the show. The fourth tape records a dance rehearsal with Ron Field. The contents of the tapes not verified or transcribed.

3) An original poster from the 1981 first run of Merrily We Go Along at the Alvin Theatre signed and inscribed at the time of the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert by Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Jim Walton, Lonny Price, Ann Morrison, and several others. 22 x 14 inches; framed. Some edgewear obscured by frame.

4) An original large color printed photograph used as a lobby poster during the original production, 24 x 20 1/2 inches, a few nicks.

5) Clark Sayre's original production jacket from Merrily We Roll Along, with the show's logo to the back, the name "Clark" covered by a small panel on the front, stains and wear.

6) Two original Playbills from the 1981 first run, toned, and a small color printed advertising sticker, 11 6 inches, the backing detached.

7) Clark Sayre's script, Playbill, and CD recording from the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert.

Materials from the first production of Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince's Merrily We Roll Along are scarce. The production was a legendary flop: the final weeks of rehearsal saw the musical heavily rewritten and recast, and without proper out-of-town previews, the over forty tryout performances in New York were panned with audience members walking out. Of this frenzied month, Sondheim recalled, "that month of fervent hysterical activity was the most fun I've ever had on a single show." In the tryouts, the audience expressed difficulty following the plot and for this Prince made the decision to dress the characters in plain sweatshirts emblazoned with their character names, a decision which Sondheim later said "I rather liked it; the paying audience did not." Merrily We Roll Along closed after just 16 performances and ended the prolific run of musicals put on by Sondheim and Prince starting in 1970; the pair would not collaborate again un Bounce in 2003.

This archive was formed by original cast member Clark Sayre, who appeared as "Soundman" in that legendary first run. The pages of the script, added until the very final days before the opening in November 1981, are here retained in the order received capturing some of the frenzy of that time period. The recordings here may be unique and feature Sondheim solo at the piano and Hal Prince delivering his first day of rehearsal speech. Despite these beginnings, Merrily We Roll Along has been revived several times, including the 2023 production starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez which was awarded the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Estimate
$5,000 - $10,000
 

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[STEPHEN SONDHEIM] CLARK SAYRE.

The archive of an original Merrily We Roll Along Broadway cast member. This archive was retained by Clark Sayre who played "Soundman" in the original Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along which opened at the Alvin Theatre on November 16th, 1981 and closed after just 16 performances. Present is:

1) Clark Sayre's annotated script bearing several signatures and annotations and corrections to lines, the script is approximately 120 copied sheets including several inserted leaves, the script without general title page and possibly lacking some pages. The order of the sheets within the notebook has been preserved as although the scenes are out of order this appears to be the order in which rewritten sheets were received, the earliest page is numbered 1-1-2 and the last 2-5-71 with hiatuses between. The sheets are variously dated from 10/10/81 through 11/13/81 (just two days before opening night!). The annotations are in pencil and ink. Some wear from handling and use, occasional stray stains, annotated as noted.

2) Four audio tape cassettes from rehearsals of Merrily We Go Along in fall 1981. The first tape offers the first day of rehearsal, Harold Prince's 1st day speech to the cast regarding the history/conceptualization of the production, and Stephen Sondheim singing songs at the piano including cut songs such as The Blob. The second tape features the first day vocal rehearsal of Paul Gemignani. The third tape records the October 30th rehearsal of the show. The fourth tape records a dance rehearsal with Ron Field. The contents of the tapes not verified or transcribed.

3) An original poster from the 1981 first run of Merrily We Go Along at the Alvin Theatre signed and inscribed at the time of the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert by Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Jim Walton, Lonny Price, Ann Morrison, and several others. 22 x 14 inches; framed. Some edgewear obscured by frame.

4) An original large color printed photograph used as a lobby poster during the original production, 24 x 20 1/2 inches, a few nicks.

5) Clark Sayre's original production jacket from Merrily We Roll Along, with the show's logo to the back, the name "Clark" covered by a small panel on the front, stains and wear.

6) Two original Playbills from the 1981 first run, toned, and a small color printed advertising sticker, 11 6 inches, the backing detached.

7) Clark Sayre's script, Playbill, and CD recording from the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert.

Materials from the first production of Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince's Merrily We Roll Along are scarce. The production was a legendary flop: the final weeks of rehearsal saw the musical heavily rewritten and recast, and without proper out-of-town previews, the over forty tryout performances in New York were panned with audience members walking out. Of this frenzied month, Sondheim recalled, "that month of fervent hysterical activity was the most fun I've ever had on a single show." In the tryouts, the audience expressed difficulty following the plot and for this Prince made the decision to dress the characters in plain sweatshirts emblazoned with their character names, a decision which Sondheim later said "I rather liked it; the paying audience did not." Merrily We Roll Along closed after just 16 performances and ended the prolific run of musicals put on by Sondheim and Prince starting in 1970; the pair would not collaborate again un Bounce in 2003.

This archive was formed by original cast member Clark Sayre, who appeared as "Soundman" in that legendary first run. The pages of the script, added until the very final days before the opening in November 1981, are here retained in the order received capturing some of the frenzy of that time period. The recordings here may be unique and feature Sondheim solo at the piano and Hal Prince delivering his first day of rehearsal speech. Despite these beginnings, Merrily We Roll Along has been revived several times, including the 2023 production starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez which was awarded the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

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Auction: Stage & Screen, Nov 14, 2024

  • Popular Stage & Screen Auction on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 10am

  • Memorabilia, Autographs, Artwork & Photographs of the Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance

  • Featuring Property from the Estate of Legendary Composer/Lyricist Jerry Herman and the Personal Collection of MAD Magazine Cartoonist Al Jaffee

  • Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions

NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle will host the popular Stage & Screen auction on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 10am. Held in collaboration with the Entertainment Community Fund, Stage & Screen offers artwork, memorabilia, autographs and photographs celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance.

Darth Vader Touring Costume
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
It is a period of excitement as the galaxy's most feared villain prepares for his latest appearance. Darth Vader, dark lord of the Sith, looms once more, as a rare artifact emerges from the shadows. This legendary costume, originally commissioned by Lucasfilm in the U.K. circa 1980, was created for a galaxy-spanning promotional tour. Forged by the renowned N.J. Farmer Associates, this fearsome suit stands at an imposing 7 feet when fully assembled, its ominous presence echoing across time. The components are as formidable as the Sith Lord himself: a menacing two-piece mask and helmet, chest and shoulder armor, a control box of unrelenting power, a flowing cape, and boots worthy of an Empire's enforcer. From gloves to greaves, each piece a part of history, some possibly later additions, but the legend endures. This rare and iconic suit, made for the promotion of The Empire Strikes Back, is accompanied by a towering mannequin, prepared to strike fear once again into the hearts of rebels. Now, the saga continues as this monumental artifact goes to auction on November 15. Estimated at $50,000-$100,000, this is your chance to take home a piece of the dark side, where the Force is strong, and the legacy of Darth Vader lives on. View Lot

The working manuscript for Truman Capote and Harold Arlen’s Musical House of Flowers
A rare offering is a large archive of Harold Arlen’s musical manuscripts and Truman Capote’s lyrics for his only musical, House of Flowers. Based on Capote’s story for the same title, veteran Wizard of Oz composer Harold Arlen was asked to work with the young author on adapting his love story set at a Haitian bordello into his first (and only) musical. The archive includes both Capote’s and Arlen’s manuscript lyrics and score of “A Sleepin’ Bee,” performed by Dihann Carroll in the musical and later made famous by Barbra Streisand, the song is now considered part of the Great American Song Book. House of Flowers ran for 165 performances on Broadway in 1954-55. Rarely do such complete manuscripts for major Broadway musicals come to market ($40,000-60,000). View Lot

The largest trove of letters from Grace Kelly to come to market
In 1949, twenty year old Grace Kelly moved into the Barbizon Hotel for Women in Manhattan, seeking out Broadway auditions and paying modeling gigs. In 1956, Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco in one the greatest fairy tale weddings the world had ever seen. In the years between, Kelly starred in stylish Alfred Hitchcock films such as Rear Window and To Catch a Thief and won an Oscar for her performance in The Country Girl. In that first year in New York City, Grace Kelly met Prudence Wise who became a life long friend, personal secretary, and frequent correspondent. Offered is the largest known group of signed handwritten and typed letters, notes, personal photographs of Kelly and her children, and ephemera to come to market. The archive traces Grace Kelly’s remarkable journey from New York to Hollywood to Monaco in her own words in this substantial group of unpublished letters. ($60,000-80,000). View Lot

Everything’s Coming Up … Sondheim!
Following the success of Doyle’s auction of The Collection of Stephen Sondheim in June 2024, we are pleased to offer more fantastic Sondheim-iana. Reoffered from the first auction will be Stephen Sondheim’s retained Sweeney Todd lab coat and show jacket as well as selections from his remarkable game collection. New offerings from A Stephen Sondheim Collector include a Sondheim signed ribbon plate, the signed limited edition of Sunday in the Park with George, and rare examples of Sondheim’s Williams College yearbooks. Two archives relate to the 1981 production of Merrily We Roll Along which famously closed after just 16 performances: the first is an archive of Clark Sayre, member of that first cast including his script and cassette tapes featuring Sondheim and Hal Prince, the second is a small group of notes from Sondheim and Prince to producer Martin Starger regarding the closing of the show. Finally, a group of scripts from an early Sondheim stage manager named James Bronson have been brought to light. These include incredible annotated production scripts for Sondheim’s Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Company as well as scripts for other Bronson shows such as Fiddler on the Roof and Zorba. Truly a section not to be missed! View Lots

The Estate of Martin Starger
From the New York collection of respected film, theatre and television producer Martin Starger, is consigned various artworks and memorabilia.  Martin Starger was a producer of films such as Nashville; Sophie’s Choice; On Golden Pond; The Muppet Movie; Autumn Sonata; and Mask. On Broadway, he was a producer of the original productions of Merrily We Roll Along; Sly FoxLend Me a Tenor and Starlight Express. His television projects included Friendly Fire, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Escape from Sobibor. Several of these projects were honored with nominations and awards. He collaborated with iconic figures in the entertainment industry, and he was passionate about his work, art, travel and New York. View Lots

The Estate of Jerry Herman (Lots 142 - 255)
Doyle is honored to auction property from the Estate of Jerry Herman, the legendary composer/lyricist of such iconic musicals as Hello Dolly!, Mame and La Cage aux Folles. Read More

The Personal Collection of Al Jaffee (Lots 301 - 453)
Doyle is MADly excited to auction property from the Personal Collection of the legendary cartoonist Al Jaffee renowned for his groundbreaking work in MAD Magazine. The Collection will be auctioned on Friday, November 15. Read More 

The Entertainment Community Fund
Recognizing the importance of the performing arts to the fabric of New York, Doyle is proud to donate 10% of our profit from this auction to the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For further information on the Entertainment Community Fund, visit EntertainmentCommunity.org


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PAYMENT
Please note that all purchases are subject to a Buyer's Premium
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We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact
Memorabilia: Peter Costanzo, 212-427-4141, ext 248, Peter.Costanzo@Doyle.com
Artwork: Milan Tessler, 212-427-4141, ext 266, paintings@Doyle.com

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