Loading...
Creator
Wagner, Robin, 1933-
Call number
*T-Vim 2023-001
Physical description
107.51 linear feet (59 boxes, 21 oversize folders, 198 tubes). 539.3 megabytes (161 computer files)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Robin Wagner designs, *T-Vim 2023-001. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

Robin Wagner (1933-2023) was a Tony Award–winning American set designer, known for his work in Broadway theatre, opera, and ballet. The collection, dated from 1968 to 2016, illustrates Wagner's artistic range via research files, sketches, paint elevations, design drawings, set model photographs, scene-to-scene schematics, and correspondence.

Biographical/historical information

Robin Wagner was born on August 31, 1933, in San Francisco, California. He developed an interest in set design while attending the Palace of Fine Arts (now the California School of Fine Arts). Wagner did some early work in San Francisco theatres before moving to New York City in 1957. He earned his first production staff credit on Broadway for Big Fish, Little Fish (1961), working as Ben Edwards' assistant. Wagner later worked as assistant to Oliver Smith on Hello Dolly! (1964-1970), Luv (1964-1967), and Baker Street (1965).

Wagner's first credit as set designer came for a 1966 production of The Condemned of Altona. He found widespread acclaim for his use of scaffolding and negative space for Hair (1968). In a departure from the then-standard practice of "fourth wall" box sets, Wagner frequently utilized mobile, automated sets that changed in full view of the audience. Other acclaimed set designs include Jesus Christ Superstar (1971), A Chorus Line (1975), 42nd Street (1980), Dreamgirls (1981), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (1989), and The Boy from Oz (2003).

For Promises, Promises (1968), Wagner worked closely with choreographer Michael Bennett to craft scene changes that choreographed and integrated the movement of both the sets and the performers. During the 1999 revival of Kiss Me, Kate, Wagner coordinated color schemes between costumes and sets with costume designer Martin Pakledinaz. He also worked with choreographer Susan Stroman on Mel Brooks' The Producers (2001) and Young Frankenstein (2007).

Wagner also designed for regional theatre, opera, ballet, and even rock performances, constructing the unfolding lotus that was the centerpiece for The Rolling Stones' 1975 Tour of the Americas.

Out of a total of ten Tony Award nominations, Wagner won three times for Best Set Design: On the Twentieth Century (1978), City of Angels (1990), and The Producers (2001). He was also the recipient of Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Maharam awards. In total, he designed sixty-three Broadway productions and seventeen off-Broadway productions throughout a career that spanned over five decades.

Robin Wagner died in his sleep on May 29, 2023 in his New York City home. He was 89.

Scope and arrangement

The Robin Wagner collection dates from 1968 to 2016, and chronicles Wagner's wide range of artistic approaches to his work as a scenic designer. The materials are arranged into two groups: Production Files and Personal Files.

Production Files are composed primarily of materials related to scenic design for Broadway productions, and are arranged alphabetically by production title. Thirty-three of Wagner's Broadway productions are present in the collection. Sixty-one productions are present in total. Design drawings, scene-to-scene schematics, preliminary sketches, set model photographs, drops, and paint elevations comprise the bulk of the collection. Some national and international tour materials are included, and are noted in the item level scope notes.

Non-Broadway productions include The Barber of Seville (2007) for the Metropolitan Opera; Staden, performed at the Royal Swedish Opera in 1997; Peberrodssuppe og Fyldt Kaalhoved (2004) (Horseradish Soup and Stuffed Cabbage) at the Royal Danish Opera House; a production of Kristina at the Göteborg Opera in Sweden; and Harvest Moon, performed at the San Francisco Ballet. Contracts, preliminary sketches, and design drawings from The Rolling Stones' 1975 Tour of the Americas are also present, including schematics for the lotus flower stage design first conceptualized by drummer Charlie Watts.

Wagner used a variety of artistic media while designing sets, including watercolor, oil, and acrylic paints; colored pencils; photographic collages; graphite; and three-dimensional materials. His preliminary sketches are done on tracing paper, transparent sketch paper, and lined notebook pages. Many original design drawings are present, and annotated diazo reprographs are common. Scene-to-scene drawings are typically photocopies.

Costume sketches, fabric swatches, lighting plots, scripts, stage ground plans, promotional materials, and correspondence with theatre workshops are also present. Many of the lighting plots and stage ground plans are diazo and sepia diazo copies, with annotations by Wagner. These are especially prevalent in tour materials, as Wagner modified traveling sets to unique theatre ground plans. Some half-inch model set pieces are included in the collection, in particular for Merlin (1983) and The Wild Party (2000).

Materials from Wagner's Tony Award–winning designs for On the Twentieth Century (1978) are not present in the collection. His other Tony Award wins, City of Angels (1989) and The Producers (2001), are well represented. The remainder of Wagner's seven Tony Award–nominated productions are included, with the exception of 1975's Mack and Mabel.

Some sketches and a diazo stage ground plan from unidentified productions are included in the collection. These are grouped together at the end of the collection. Scripts, librettos, and vocal scores that never went into production with Wagner are also present.

There are also audio recordings of West Point and Seoul Dreamgirls previews.

Personal Files include correspondence and materials related to Wagner's 70th birthday party.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Robin Wagner in January 2023.

Processing information

Processed by Em Longan in 2024.

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Access restrictions

Inquiries regarding audio and moving image materials in the collection may be directed to the Billy Rose Theatre Division (theatre@nypl.org). Audio and moving image materials may be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.