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Creator
Morrow, Doretta
Call number
*T-Mss 1994-019
Physical description
1.51 linear feet (4 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Doretta Morrow papers, *T-Mss 1994-019. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
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Doretta Morrow was an American actress and singer, best known for creating roles in the classic musicals The King and I and Kismet. The Doretta Morrow papers contain photographs, programs, telegrams, clippings, reviews, a diploma, and two religious documents.

Biographical/historical information

Doretta Morrow was born Doretta Marano on January 27, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York. She attended New Utrecht High School. She made her stage debut in Shooting Star, a musical that closed out of town in 1946. Later that year she replaced Ann Andre in the revival of The Red Mill. She is best remembered for originating major roles in three classic musicals: Where's Charley ?(1948), The King and I (1951), and Kismet (1953). Morrow also appeared in the 1955 London production of Kismet and the 1957 national tour of Fanny. In 1959 she appeared in Cole Porter's Aladdin in London.

During the 1950s Morrow appeared on various television shows and televised productions of musicals such as Knickerbocker Holiday (1950), Miss Liberty (1951), and The Beggar's Opera (1952), as well as the original television musical The Adventures of Marco Polo (1956). She appeared in one film, Because You're Mine (1952).

Morrow retired from performing in 1960 and married London insurance underwriter Albert Hardman, with whom she had one daughter. Morrow had previously married and divorced airline executive Fred A. Miller during the 1950s. Doretta Morrow died of cancer in London on February 28, 1968.

Scope and arrangement

The Doretta Morrow papers contain production files, which focus mainly on Morrow's stage career, covering the major Broadway, London, and touring musicals in which she performed, and her one film appearance, Because You're Mine. Stage productions documented here include The Chocolate Soldier, The Desert Song, The Great Waltz, The King and I, Kismet, The Red Mill, Rosalie, and Where's Charley? Production Files contain photographs, playbills, souvenir programs, opening night telegrams, fan letters, reviews, and clippings.

Morrow's occasional appearances in fashion shows and nightclubs are documented with photographs, programs, and clippings. This collection also contains professional headshots, personal and family photographs, clippings regarding her econd marriage, watercolor paintings on paper by Morrow, a diploma, and religious membership documents. Many photographs contain Morrow's hand-written notes dating the photograph, or identifying the subject. This collection contains some photographs taken after Morrow's death, of her daughter Elena.

Arrangement

The Doretta Morrow papers are arranged into Production Files and Other Materials.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Virginia Esternaux, 1994.

Processing information

Compiled by Diana Bertolini, 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.