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Creator
Jacobs, Craig
Call number
*T-Mss 2019-007
Physical description
1.46 linear feet (4 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Chicago Stage Manager records, *T-Mss 2019-007. 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.

The Chicago stage manager records documents the original touring production of Chicago. Written by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, with music by John Kander, Chicago debuted on Broadway in 1975. The original touring production of the show ran from 1977 to 1978. Craig Jacobs served as stage manager during the original Broadway run and touring production from 1975 to 1978. The records in the collection give a concise look at the various production elements of the Broadway and touring shows including casting information, set and lighting designs, music scores, and script changes.

Biographical/historical information

The original run of Chicago the musical, based on the 1926 play of the same by Maurine Dallas Watkins, debuted on Broadway in 1975. With music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and the show's director and choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago ran for 936 performances at the 46th Street Theatre from 1975 to 1977. The original run received 10 Tony Award nominations including Best Lighting Design. After the original Broadway run the show toured from 1977 to 1978.

During the original run of the show Craig Jacobs served as stage manager, overseeing the lighting and technical aspects of the production. Jacobs continued as stage manager for the touring production, adapting the technical aspects of the show to stages across the United States.

Craig Jacobs would go on to a long career as a Broadway stage manager and supervisor, working on productions of The Phantom of the Opera, Gypsy, Grease, Show Boat, and more. In 2015 Jacobs was awarded the Del Hughes Award from the Stage Managers Association, recognizing a lifetime achievement in the art of stage management.

Scope and arrangement

The collection documents the cast, design, score, and other production elements of the original touring production of Chicago the musical. The bulk of material dates from 1975 to 1978. Items in the collection include annotated scripts, cue sheets, prop lists, musical scores, cast photographs, contact sheets of performances, and lighting design.

The Chicago Stage Manager records are arranged in four series:

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Purchase from Litchfield County Auctions, July 2019.

Processing information

Processed by Christopher Arena in 2020.

Separated material

Approximately five screenplays and press releases for award consideration were separated from the collection and added to the Billy Rose Theatre Division's general screenplay collection. A personalized mechanical pencil to Fred Ebb was also separated and added to the Billy Rose Theatre Division's cabinet collection.

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