{"value"=>"<p>This series consists of four volumes of <span class=\"title\">Plays and Playgoers: A Theatre-Goer’s Record</span> belonging to Chamberlain Brown and completed by him, as a teenager. The diaries document productions he attended, often with his brother, mostly in Boston, but also in New York City around Christmastime, as well as a few in Philadelphia. The first volume covers the 1909 – 1910 season, the second 1910 – 1911, the third 1911, and the fourth 1911 – 1912.</p> <p>Production details and comments are handwritten in the appropriate section; portions of programs are affixed to the page, as well as related clippings from magazines. In some instances, the entire program is included, as well as publicity booklets and ticket stubs. There are also several autographed clippings, mostly pictures of performers, and a few photos, some of which were taken by Chamberlain Brown. Additionally, at the back of the first two diaries, Chamberlain lists his favorite plays and stars of the season, and the “Stars of the Future from the Season 1909 – 1910.” In the 1911 – 1912 diary, he lists “Impossible Actors.” The productions seen include a number of operettas, as well as some vaudeville and versions of the <span class=\"title\">Follies</span>. Just a few of the stars represented in the diaries are Maude Adams, Margaret Anglin, John Barrymore, Sarah Bernhardt, Fanny Brice, George M. Cohan, Jane Cowl, Douglas Fairbanks, Lew Fields, William Gillette, Walter Hampden, Anna Held, Alla Nazimova, Anna Pavlova, Florence Reed, Blanche Ring, Fritzi Scheff, Otis Skinner, and E.H. Sothern and Julia Marlowe, Bert Williams, and Peggy Wood. Of particular note is a <span class=\"title\">Friars’ Club Frolic</span> Chamberlain attended at the Boston Theatre in June 1911; Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, and Julian Eltinge were among the performers.</p>"}