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Creator
Partington, J. A. (John Allan), 1890-1944
Call number
*T-Mss 1991-006
Physical description
2 linear feet
Preferred Citation
J. A. Partington papers, scores and sheet music, 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

J. A. Partington was a producer, inventor and stage manager. Born on the Isle of Man in 1890, he and his family migrated to California when he was five. Partington produced stage shows which were performed before featured films at the Granada and Metropolitan Theatres in San Francisco and later for the Publix Theatres Corporation. Partington is best known for his invention of the rising orchestra pit and the disappearing footlights. Partington produced the stage shows of the Roxy Theatre for Fanchon and Marco until his death. He died in New York City in 1944. The J. A. Partington Papers span the years 1924-1931 and consist of photographs, production notes, sheet music and scores and in some cases stage plans of his productions at the Granada Theatre in San Francisco and the Publix Theatres Corporation, particularly the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles and the Paramount Theatre in New York City. There are some issues of Publix Opinion, the house newsletter of the Publix Theatres Corporation. There are no materials from Partington's career at the Roxy Theatre in New York City.

Scope and arrangement

The J. A. Partington papers, scores and sheet music is arranged in three series:

  • Series I: J. A. Partington Productions

    Weekly production notes and photographs from the Granada Theatre in San Francisco. Production notes include plot descriptions, cast lists, music and lighting cues. There are also some files from the Metropolitan Theatre in San Francisco.

  • Series II: Publix Theatres Corp. Productions

    Weekly production notes and photographs primarily from the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles. There are some files from the Paramount Theatre in New York City and other Publix Theatres in New Orleans and New Have. Also included are issues of Publix Opinion, the newsletter of the Publix Theatres Corporation, some clippings, programmes and correspondence.

  • Series III: Musical Scores and Sheet Music

    Handwritten scores for individual productions of the Granada Theatre. There are approximately 20 selections.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift, Unknown, 1991

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

One day prior notice may be necessary to view collection.