1940 - 1949

This is a rare October 30th, 1944 program (playbill) from the Theatre Guild revival of the WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE classic “OTHELLO” at the Hanna Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio. (The production opened October 19th, 1943 at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre in New York City and ran for 296 performances before going on the road. Following the ambitious tour, the production returned to New York’s City Center Theatre on May 22nd, 1945 for an additional 24 performances.) ….. “A tragedy of racial conflict” was how PAUL ROBESON (1898 – 1976) summed up “Othello” as he rehearsed the play in London. He was the first black actor to attempt “Othello” in more than a century when he stepped onto the stage of the Savoy Theatre on March 19th, 1930. The only black actor previously to have attempted it was Ira Aldridge in 1825. The son of a runaway slave, Robeson was, by 1930, an international star: a lawyer, athlete, academic, singer, actor and campaigner. In 1928 he had captured London’s heart with his performance of “Ol’ Man River” in the barnstorming, barrier-breaking Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II musical “Show Boat”. He jumped at the chance to tackle “Othello”. He became the first African-American to play the role with a white supporting cast on Broadway when Robeson reprised his role of “Othello” at the Shubert Theatre in 1943 under the direction of Margaret Webster. He toured North America with the show until 1945 and received a Donaldson Award and was honored with the Spingarn medal by the NAACP for his distinguished achievements in the performing arts and his humanitarian endeavors. (Wikipedia) ….. The play starred PAUL ROBESON in the title role, JOSE FERRER and UTA HAGEN and the cast included EDITH KING, RALPH CLANTON, DON KEEFER, FRANCIS COMPTON, LOUIS LYTTON, ROBERT E. PERRY, RONALD BISHOP, TED YARYAN, FRANCIS LETTON, STOCKMAN BARNER, FREDERIC DOWNS, JAY BRASSFIELD, WILLIAM BROWDER and NAN McFARLAND ….. CREDITS: Book by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE; Music composed by TOM BENNETT; Sets designed by ROBERT EDMOND JONES; Directed by MARGARET WEBSTER; Produced by THE THEATRE GUILD ….. DETAILS: The 28 page playbill measures 5 7/8″ X 9 1/4″ inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, bios of the leading actors and schedule of upcoming engagements but with the exception of the front cover, no cast photos ….. CONDITION: With the exception of light rust marks on the left edge of the cover, 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.