Jun 5, 2025 11:00 EST
Stage & Screen
569
Stephen Sondheim writes David Merrick about A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Handwritten letter about A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. New York: 5 September, 1961. A one-page manuscript letter in ink, signed "Abashedly, Steve," the letter addressed "Dear David" [producer David Merrick]. Approximately 10 1/2 x 7 inches. Fine overall, usual folds and handling.
A historically important letter from Stephen Sondheim regarding the first Broadway production for which he wrote both the lyrics and the music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The letter is addressed to David Merrick, who had promised to produce the musical (then still under its original title The Roman Comedy) upon Sondheim's commitment to write the lyrics to Gypsy in 1959. "The Roman Comedy" was also set to be directed by Gypsy's Jerome Robbins, who backed out after several delays. Sondheim here writes Merrick:
"I am embarrassed by the turn of events on 'The Roman Comedy.' As you predicted, Jerry slithered away, much to my shocked surprise (he asked for another year's postponement) but only after he had committed a deal with Milton Berle. This, plus George Abbott's interest (and Berle's desire for him)... makes the whole position impossible. I apologize, David. But I hope to make it up to you. As you know, Arthur and I are starting on a new show and we both think highly of you as a producer. Abashedly, Steve."
Eventually, Milton Berle also dropped out to be replaced by Zero Mostel. George Abbott did sign on to direct but would only go forth with his chosen producer, Hal Prince, and thus Sondheim was forced to write this letter to Merrick. Hal Prince had been a co-director on Sondheim's first Broadway musical, West Side Story. This was to become his first full collaboration with Sondheim, a partnership that forever changed American musical theater.
Sold for $1,920
Estimated at $2,000 - $3,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Handwritten letter about A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. New York: 5 September, 1961. A one-page manuscript letter in ink, signed "Abashedly, Steve," the letter addressed "Dear David" [producer David Merrick]. Approximately 10 1/2 x 7 inches. Fine overall, usual folds and handling.
A historically important letter from Stephen Sondheim regarding the first Broadway production for which he wrote both the lyrics and the music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The letter is addressed to David Merrick, who had promised to produce the musical (then still under its original title The Roman Comedy) upon Sondheim's commitment to write the lyrics to Gypsy in 1959. "The Roman Comedy" was also set to be directed by Gypsy's Jerome Robbins, who backed out after several delays. Sondheim here writes Merrick:
"I am embarrassed by the turn of events on 'The Roman Comedy.' As you predicted, Jerry slithered away, much to my shocked surprise (he asked for another year's postponement) but only after he had committed a deal with Milton Berle. This, plus George Abbott's interest (and Berle's desire for him)... makes the whole position impossible. I apologize, David. But I hope to make it up to you. As you know, Arthur and I are starting on a new show and we both think highly of you as a producer. Abashedly, Steve."
Eventually, Milton Berle also dropped out to be replaced by Zero Mostel. George Abbott did sign on to direct but would only go forth with his chosen producer, Hal Prince, and thus Sondheim was forced to write this letter to Merrick. Hal Prince had been a co-director on Sondheim's first Broadway musical, West Side Story. This was to become his first full collaboration with Sondheim, a partnership that forever changed American musical theater.
Auction: Stage & Screen, Jun 5, 2025
-
Popular Stage & Screen Auction on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 11am
-
Memorabilia, Autographs, Artwork & Photographs of the Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance
-
Hosted in Collaboration with the Entertainment Community Fund (Formerly the Actors Fund)
-
Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle hosted the popular Stage & Screen auction on June 5, 2025. Fans and collectors around the world vied for exciting offerings celebrating the performing arts of Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance.
The Glass Menagerie
Highlighting the sale was an extraordinary script of The Glass Menagerie, inscribed by Tennessee Williams to Jo Mielziner, the celebrated set and lighting designer. Mielziner’s annotated carbon copy, it sold for $11,520, many times its $1,500-2,500 estimate. His notes reveal early design ideas, including “wonderful!” beside Williams’ lighting suggestions. This script predates rewrites and was issued before rehearsals began in late November 1944. Their first collaboration, Menagerie became a theatrical milestone, with Mielziner’s visionary designs playing a crucial role in its success and in later Williams-Meilziner productions, A Streetcar Named Desire and Summer and Smoke.
The Entertainment Community Fund
Recognizing the importance of the performing arts to the fabric of New York, Doyle is proud to collaborate on this auction with the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Lots 501 through 519 were auctioned to directly benefit the Fund, and Doyle will donate 100% of our Buyer's Premium on these lots. Featured are stylish costumes from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. For further information on the Entertainment Community Fund, visit EntertainmentCommunity.org
Property of Technical Production Manager Jake Bell
Jake Bell has had a legendary career in the theater as Technical Production Manager for Sir Cameron Mackintosh's iconic musicals. Bell managed some of the most dazzling and technologically advanced stage elements in theater history: the famous falling chandelier in The Phantom of the Opera, the flying helicopter in Miss Saigon, the barricade of Les Misérables and so much more. Among the collection's highlights are annotated production books, scripts, props and memorabilia from Cats, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, A Chorus Line and Phantom of the Opera, including a stage-worn Phantom mask presented to Bell at the April 2023 closing performance. View Lots
The Estate of Tony Roberts
New York native Tony Roberts (1939–2025) was a prolific stage and screen actor with a career spanning over six decades. A two-time Tony award nominee, he appeared in 23 Broadway productions, among them David Merrick’s Barefoot in the Park, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Promises, Promises, for which he won the London Critics Poll Award for the West End production. Among his numerous screen credits are six Woody Allen films, including Annie Hall, Play It Again, Sam and Star-Spangled Girl. He performed in New York City Opera's Brigadoon and South Pacific, and played Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. Collection highlights feature original illustrations by Al Hirschfeld depicting Roberts in Arsenic and Old Lace and Doubles, his script from Star Spangled Girl, and a large group of awards and memorabilia. View Lots
“Costume Bibles” of Barbara Matera
Barbara Matera (1929-2001) was one of the foremost costume designers and creators of costumes on Broadway, working on more than 100 shows between the 1970s to the early 2000s. It was her invariable practice to create a costume bible for every show, with copies of the original designs, specimens of the fabrics used, and notes on the sources of those fabrics. This enabled repairs and new copies of costumes to be consistently assembled over the course of a show. Featured in the sale are costume bibles for Angels in America, Evita, La Cage aux Folles, Phantom of the Opera, RENT and even the Rolling Stones 1994 Voodoo Lounge Tour. View Lots
