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Creator
Merlin Group, Ltd.
Call number
*T-Mss 2012-056
Physical description
1.89 linear feet (5 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Merlin Group records, *T-Mss 2012-056. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

The Merlin Group, Ltd. was a theatrical marketing and publicity company based in New York City. The Merlin Group records, dating from 1967 to 1979, document the publicity work performed by the company for six productions: Chicago, King of Hearts, Trick, The Goodbye People, Coquelico, and The Wiz.

Biographical/historical information

The Merlin Group, Ltd. was a theatrical marketing and publicity company that was founded in New York City circa 1973 and closed in 1983. It managed publicity for at least 26 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including Chicago (1974-1977), The Wiz (1975-1979), King of Hearts (1978), Trick (1979), The Goodbye People (1979), and the circus Coquelico (1979).

Scope and arrangement

The Merlin Group records, dating from 1967 to 1979, document the publicity work performed by the company for six productions: Chicago (1967, 1974-1977), King of Hearts (1978), Trick (1979), The Goodbye People (1979), Coquelico (1979), and The Wiz (1974-1975). The records hold correspondence, press releases, cast and creator files, photographs, negatives, slides, proof sheets, transparencies, clippings, programs, and handbills. The bulk of the collection consists of files for Chicago, including both the original Broadway production and touring productions. The files for King of Hearts also hold substantial content. Correspondence is composed of memos among Merlin staff and between the production and Merlin offices regarding publicity, advertising, or marketing issues. Photograph files hold actor headshots and production images. Photographs can also be found in Cast and Creator Files. The Chicago cast file for Jerry Orbach contains photographs of Orbach in the 1967 Off-Broadway play Scuba Duba.

The collection holds one audio recording, a cassette tape labeled King of Hearts. Inquiries regarding audio materials in the collection may be directed to the Billy Rose Theatre Division (theatre@nypl.org). Audio materials may be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.

Arrangement

The records are arranged by production title.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Unknown.

Processing information

Compiled by Matthew Snyder, 2014

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

Conditions Governing Use

The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatrediv@nypl.org.

Access restrictions

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