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Creator
Liff, Biff
Call number
*T-Mss 2018-007
Physical description
6.05 linear feet (11 containers, 4 tubes, 1 folder)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Biff Liff papers, *T-Mss 2018-007. 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

Samuel "Biff" Liff (1919-2015) was a stage manager and agent. The Biff Liff papers mainly documents his career as a stage manager for productions in New York City and notably the international production of My Fair Lady. The files hold scripts, photographs, and printed matter.

Biographical/historical information

Biff Liff (1919-2015) was a theatrical stage manager and agent. Known as Biff (birth name Samuel, born in Boston). He was the son of Rose and Morris Liff, a restauranteur. Liff graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) with a bachelor's degree in theater.

After serving as an Army officer during WWII, Liff began his career as a stage manager for the production Along Fifth Avenue in New York City. Over the course of his career, Liff managed numerous shows including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Carol Channing. He also worked on many productions for David Merrick, notably My Fair Lady. In the 1970's, Liff became head of the Theatre Department of the William Morris Agency where he represented Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, Agnes De Mille, and Jerry Herman among others. Liff received a 2006 Tony honor for Excellence in Theater. Upon his death, the marquees of Broadway were dimmed for one minute.

He was survived by his wife Lisette Liff.

Scope and arrangement

The Biff Liff papers, dated 1906-2014, document the career of Biff Liff (1919-2015), a stage manager for theatrical productions.

The collection features calling scripts (recording all the cues and staging information) for the productions, most prominently My Fair Lady along with photographs, lighting and scenic designs, and a live recording of My Fair Lady.

Related material includes photographs (including pictures and letters from Pearl Bailey), historical playbills; posters, reviews, lyrics, technical designs and media.

The media originals also include several interviews of Liff with Peter Webb reminiscing about My Fair Lady.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

The collection was donated by Lisette Liff, 2018.

Processing information

Processed by Valerie Wingfield, 2019.

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.