Mar 18, 2026 10:00 EST
Stage & Screen Featuring The Estate of Charles Strouse & Barbara Siman
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Alan Schneider's 1963 Best Director Tony Award for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)
WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
The Tony Award presented to Alan Schneider in 1963 as Best Director for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tony Award medallion encased in acrylic glass, with one side depicting the masks of comedy and tragedy and the reverse engraved "Alan Schneider / For Distinguished Achievement in Theatre / Who's Afraid / Of Virginia Woolf? / 1963." 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm). The reverse of the acrylic case with a noticeable crack, but not affecting the medallion, a slight residue in the crack over a few letters; Together with Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf original Broadway cast vinyl record. Columbia Masterworks [1963]. 4-LP box set. Fine.
Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? premiered at the Billy Rose Theatre on October 13th, 1962 and immediately announced itself as a turning point in American theatre. Directed by Alan Schneider, the production starred Uta Hagen as Martha and Arthur Hill as George, with Melinda Dillon and George Grizzard in supporting roles, and was widely noted for the extrordinary demands it placed on its actors. Critics were sharply divided: some objected to its vulgairty and cynicism, while others championed its realism and power. On October 15th, 1962, the New York Times theatre critic Howard Taubman wrote: "..."Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is possessed by raging demons. It is punctuated by comedy, and its laughter is shot through with savage irony. At its core is a bitter, keening lament over man's incapacity to arrange his environment or private life as to inhibit his self-destructive compulsions." The production went on a major Broadway run at the Billy Rose Theatre until 1964, totaling over a year and a half of performances. In recognition of his remarkable work, Schneider received the 1963 Tony Award for Best Director of a Play, an honor both symbolizing his achievement for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and his lasting influence on American Theatre.
Tony Awards in major categories such as Best Director are rare at auction. We note the Tony Award presented to Diahann Carroll in 1962 (and sold at Bonhams in 2020) was similary encased, perhaps an option offered to winners in this period.
Sold for $7,680
Estimated at $5,000 - $8,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)
WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
The Tony Award presented to Alan Schneider in 1963 as Best Director for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tony Award medallion encased in acrylic glass, with one side depicting the masks of comedy and tragedy and the reverse engraved "Alan Schneider / For Distinguished Achievement in Theatre / Who's Afraid / Of Virginia Woolf? / 1963." 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm). The reverse of the acrylic case with a noticeable crack, but not affecting the medallion, a slight residue in the crack over a few letters; Together with Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf original Broadway cast vinyl record. Columbia Masterworks [1963]. 4-LP box set. Fine.
Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? premiered at the Billy Rose Theatre on October 13th, 1962 and immediately announced itself as a turning point in American theatre. Directed by Alan Schneider, the production starred Uta Hagen as Martha and Arthur Hill as George, with Melinda Dillon and George Grizzard in supporting roles, and was widely noted for the extrordinary demands it placed on its actors. Critics were sharply divided: some objected to its vulgairty and cynicism, while others championed its realism and power. On October 15th, 1962, the New York Times theatre critic Howard Taubman wrote: "..."Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is possessed by raging demons. It is punctuated by comedy, and its laughter is shot through with savage irony. At its core is a bitter, keening lament over man's incapacity to arrange his environment or private life as to inhibit his self-destructive compulsions." The production went on a major Broadway run at the Billy Rose Theatre until 1964, totaling over a year and a half of performances. In recognition of his remarkable work, Schneider received the 1963 Tony Award for Best Director of a Play, an honor both symbolizing his achievement for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and his lasting influence on American Theatre.
Tony Awards in major categories such as Best Director are rare at auction. We note the Tony Award presented to Diahann Carroll in 1962 (and sold at Bonhams in 2020) was similary encased, perhaps an option offered to winners in this period.
Stage & Screen
Auction: Stage & Screen Featuring The Estate of Charles Strouse & Barbara Siman, Mar 18, 2026
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Auction of the Estate of Composer Charles Strouse & Choreographer Barbara Siman on March 18, 2026
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Memorabilia, Artwork, Furniture, Decorations, Books and More from Their Manhattan Apartment
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Featured Section of the March 18 Stage & Screen Auction
NEW YORK, NY -- Fans and collectors from across the nation and beyond gathered in Doyle's saleroom and online for the auction the Estate of the legendary Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning composer Charles Strouse and his wife choreographer Barbara Siman. Showcased were memorabilia, artwork, furniture, decorations, books and more from the couple's Manhattan apartment. The landmark sale was a featured section of the Stage & Screen auction on March 18, 2026.
Over his 50-year career Charles Strouse wrote the music for such iconic musical theater hits as Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie, as well as the theme song for the classic sitcom All in the Family ("Those Were the Days"). Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin's partnership on Annie produced one of Broadway's most successful scores ever. "Tomorrow" and other songs from the production have since become enduring American musical standards admired by generations. Read More
Highlighting the sale was Charles Strouse's antique Steinway Model A Grand Piano that achieved $11,520, surpassing its $7,000-10,000 estimate. Manufactured in 1897, the piano was acquired by Strouse in the late 1960s and used throughout the composition Applause (1970), Annie (1977), and other celebrated works.
Among the memorabilia offerings that realized strong results were signed sheet music for the iconic song “Tomorrow” from Annie that sold for $1,280, many times its $300-400 estimate, and signed sheet music for “Those Were the Days,” the opening theme from the television series All in the Family, estimated at $300-500, which achieved $1,216. Also drawing interest at the sale was Charles Strouse’s director’s chair, printed on the front with “Charles Strouse” and on the back with “Annie,” which more than doubled its $300-500 estimate, selling for $1,152.
Stage & Screen
Property from the Estate of Charles Stouse & Barbara Siman was offered as a featured section of the Stage & Screen auction celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance. Read More
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