Scope and arrangement
This collection consists mainly of professional files pertaining to theater and film projects written by Gerome Ragni, or in which he appeared as an actor. There are items from productions Ragni acted in during school and later in New York, such as Hamlet (1964), Hang Down Your Head and Die (1964), The Knack (1964) and Viet Rock (1966) but the majority of the material in this collection pertains to the original Broadway production of Hair (1968). There is also some material on subsequent projects Ragni was involved with such as Dude (1973) and the film Lions Love (1969). This collection also contains personal items, including correspondence with Ragni's family and friends and documents on his Air Force service. The strength of this collection is its extensive coverage of the many productions of Hair in the U. S. and internationally, represented here with photographs, programs, posters and press materials. The collection includes material as early as 1952, when Ragni was in high school and as late as 1984.
The Gerome Ragni papers are arranged in nine series:
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1955-19841 box
This series contains various personal items of Ragni's and his sister Irene's. The bulk of this material is Ragni's personal correspondence, with his sister and with James Rado, Earl Scott and other friends. This series also includes official documentation of Ragni's military service.
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1972-19792 boxes
This series contains scripts for two shows written by Ragni, Hair and Dude, in various stages of their revision process.
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1967-19791 box
This series contains production files pertaining to Hair, with certain items on Dude and Lions Love. The materials in this series include audition notes, background information, correspondence, directories, invitations, schedules, song lists, ticket stubs and Ragni's Tony award nomination.
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1967-19701 box
This series contains published vocal selections to Hair and its spin-off album, DisinHAIRited as well as piano/vocal versions of various songs from the show.
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1959-19792 boxes
This series contains publicity materials pertaining to various theater and film productions which were written by Gerome Ragni, or in which he appeared, especially Hair. This material includes press clippings, magazines, advertisements and various promotional items, such as buttons, flyers and stickers.
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1972-19772 boxes
This series contains programs for Ragni's productions. Most of these programs are for Hair, including many programs for the numerous regional and international productions. There are also programs for various other Broadway and Off-Broadway Ragni shows.
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1962-19703 boxes
This series contains photographs of Ragni productions, most of which are from Hair, covering the original Broadway production and the many subsequent productions, and a few photos of other Ragni shows. There are also some personal photos of Ragni, his friends and family.
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1964-19731 box
This series contains many posters for Hair, including posters from international productions, as well as posters for other Ragni productions, Dude, Hamlet, Lions Love and Viet Rock.
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undated1 box
This series contains oversized items, such as a several drawings and the cover and various pages from Irene Ragni's scrapbook on Hair.