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Creator
Langan, Dan
Call number
*T-Mss 2017-046
Physical description
2.5 linear feet (6 containers)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Dan Langan collection, *T-Mss 2017-046. 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

Dan Langan (1935-2018) was a press agent who represented theatrical performers and works of musical theatre. He was also an avid collector of recordings of musical theatre performances. The Dan Langan collection includes a selection of these audio and video recordings and files relating to his public relations work.

Biographical/historical information

Dan Langan (1935-2018) was a press agent who represented theatrical performers and works of musical theatre. As a young man, Langan worked for newspapers including the Syracuse Post Standard, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Variety as a reporter, editor, columnist, and critic. He moved to New York City and worked at the WYNC radio station for a time, then began working in public relations, eventually establishing his own firm, Langan Communications, sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Langan specialized in representing musical theatre productions and performers, especially touring companies. Over the years Langan amassed an extensive collection of audio and video recordings of musical theatre performances. He was an active member of the New York chapter of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections and frequently wrote liner notes for record labels.

Scope and arrangement

The Dan Langan collection, which dates from about 1927 through 2016, comprises two categories: Langan's papers and his collection of musical theatre performance recordings.

Langan's papers primarily consist of work files. Each work file relates to a particular performer, production title, venue, or subject and contains a mix of materials, typically including: press releases written by Langan; clippings; budgets; correspondence; photographs; contracts; performance schedules; handwritten notes; and promotional items. Many publicity, performance, and rehearsal photographs are included in these files, some by notable theatre photographers such as Martha Swope and Bill Ray. A few files containing personal and miscellaneous items are interfiled among the work files. Langan's papers are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Langan's collection of musical theater performance recordings spans well beyond productions he promoted, consisting primarily of audio and video recordings of theatrical performances. Langan used these recordings for his professional reference purposes but also pursued amassing this collection as a hobby. Many rare recordings, including opening and closing night performances are present. A few demo reels of individual musicians and actors are also included. Audio and video recordings are unavailable pending digitization.

Arrangement

The papers section of the Dan Langan collection is arranged alphabetically by folder title. The recordings section is divided in to audio and video subsections and then arranged chronologically.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

The collection was donated by Dan Langan's daughter, Sheila Langan, in November, 2017.

Processing information

Collection processed by Heather Halliday, 2018.

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

Audio and video recordings are unavailable pending digitization.