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Creator
Chapin, Theodore S.
Call number
*T-Mss 2015-001
Physical description
5.3 linear feet (13 boxes); 80.32 Megabytes (1 computer file)
Preferred Citation

Ted Chapin papers on Follies, *T-Mss 2015-001. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

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

Ted Chapin (1950-) is an American arts administrator, director and musical director, who has been at the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization since 1981, serving as president and executive director since 1983. In 1971 he was a production assistant for the original Broadway production of Follies. The Ted Chapin papers on Follies (1967-2014) consist of scripts, scores, original diaries, and other research materials Chapin created or collected on the original production of Follies. The papers contain drafts, correspondence and publicity materials for Ted Chapin's memoir Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies.

Biographical/historical information

Theodore S. "Ted" Chapin was born in 1950. His father, Schuyler Chapin, served as general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, cultural affairs commissioner of New York City and dean of the School of the Arts at Columbia University. Ted Chapin began his career as a production or directorial assistant for the original Broadway productions of Follies, The Rothchilds, and The Unknown Soldier and His Wife. He would subsequently work on the original Broadway production of Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys, the television adaptation of Twigs, and Neil Cuthbert's The Soft Touch. He was musical director for the National Theatre of the Deaf's production of Four Saints in Three Acts, and producer of the Musical Theatre Lab.

In 1981, Chapin began his career at the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, where he is currently president and executive director. He has previously served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the American Theatre Wing and was chairman of the Advisory Committee for New York City Center's Encores! series from its inception. He serves on the boards of several organizations, including Goodspeed Musicals, New Music USA, and New York City Center. He served as a Tony Awards nominator for two seasons, and is a member of the Tony Administration Committee.

In the late 1990s, Chapin began a project he had been contemplating for years, writing a memoir about his experiences working on the original production of Follies. His book, Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies, was published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2003, and in paperback by Applause Books in 2005.

The musical Follies, which uses the format of a musical revue to tell the story of a reunion of aging showgirls, was written by James Goldman (book) and Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics). The original production was co-directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett and choreographed by Michael Bennett. It played on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre from March 24, 1971 to July 1, 1972.

Scope and arrangement

The Ted Chapin papers on Follies (1967-2014) consist of material Chapin assembled concerning the musical Follies. These include research files on both the original (1971) and subsequent productions (1972-2012) and files documenting the writing and publication of his memoir, Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies.

The research files contain Chapin's personal diaries and correspondence dating from the time he worked as a production assistant on the original production, drafts of the scripts, copyist sheet music, programs, set plans, copies of reviews, photographs, and sound recordings. The diaries and correspondence provide insight into his thoughts and impressions of the process of putting on Follies and the interactions of the prominent theater and film personalities involved. Drafts of the script show its evolution from The Girls Upstairs in 1967 to the version that opened on Broadway in 1971. Photographs not only document Follies in performance, but also the rehearsals, company meetings, and collaboration sessions. Rare sound recordings include Sondheim performing songs from the score on the first day of rehearsal, a partial recording of the final dress rehearsal before the out of town tryout at Boston's Colonial Theater, and Yvonne deCarlo's final performance of "Can That Boy Foxtrot."

Book Files contain materials collected as research for the book and files generated during its writing. The multiple drafts show Chapin's revision process as he received input from Robert Gottlieb and other Knopf editors. Chapin corresponded with as many members of the original Follies creative team and company as he was able to reach, most notably Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Peterson, and David Edward Byrd. Many of these letters contain facts and stories about Follies as well as feedback on drafts of the book and the finished product. There are extensive notes on interviews and conversations he planned or conducted and revisions to be made to the text based on input from those he interviewed and with whom he corresponded.

Documents and correspondence illustrate the process of securing rights and permissions for photographs, images, and lyrics reproduced in the book. Changes to the paperback edition (published by Applause in 2005) are documented here, as well as the images and copy for the book's cover. Publicity materials include correspondence between Chapin and Knopf staff members and Bert Fink, Chapin's colleague (at that time vice president in charge of Special Event and Public Relations) at the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization discussing promotional events and planning a publicity campaign for the book.

The materials generated in response to Chapin's book consist of letters and reviews. He received many letters in response to the book, from close friends, colleagues, prominent members of the theatre industry, and theatre scholars, as well as from fans, including many who had seen and loved the original Follies. He received letters from several members of the original company. Chapin received the 2004 Special Jury Prize for the George Freedley Memorial Award at the Theatre Library Association's Book Awards. This event is documented with correspondence and the awards ceremony program.

Audio and video recordings are unavailable pending digitization.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two categories: Follies Research Materials and Book Files.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Theodore S. Chapin, 2015.

Processing information

Compiled by Diana Bertolini, 2015.

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 theatre@nypl.org.