Description :

Rare Vintage Playbills: Zenda, Sleuth & City Center Productions

Step into the golden age of American theatre with this exclusive auction set featuring three rare and historically rich Playbills: Zenda (1963), Sleuth (1971), and a production from The City Center of Music and Drama (1962). The 1963 Playbill for "Zenda", presented by the San Francisco Civic Light Opera Association at the Curran Theatre, showcases a lavish musical adaptation inspired by The Prisoner of Zenda. This production starred Alfred Drake, with possible appearances by Chita Rivera and Anne Rogers, and featured a cover adorned with crests and period costume illustrations, reflecting the regal and romantic themes of the show. The 1971 Playbill for "Sleuth", written by Anthony Shaffer, captures the suspenseful brilliance of this Tony Award-winning mystery thriller. Staged at the Music Box Theatre, the production starred Anthony Quayle as Andrew Wyke and Keith Baxter as Milo Tindle, with direction by Clifford Williams and lighting design by William Ritman. Supporting cast members included Stanley Wright, Sydney Maycock, and Liam McNulty, with later performances by Paul Rogers, George Rose, and Patrick Macnee. This Playbill’s stylized cover—a man in a suit with an eye motif—perfectly evokes the psychological intrigue of the play. Finally, the 1962 Playbill from The City Center of Music and Drama, likely representing a production such as Where’s Charley or The Still Point, features a line drawing of the historic New York City Center building. These Playbills are not merely programs—they are theatrical time capsules, each preserving the full creative and production credits, including producers, designers, choreographers, and press agents. From lighting legends like Tharon Musser to costume designers such as Theoni V. Aldredge, and publicists Harvey B. Sabinson and Lee Solters, every artisan and artist is honored in these documents. With gently aged covers, complete cast listings, and period-specific advertisements, this auction set is a museum-worthy tribute to mid-century stagecraft, ideal for collectors, archivists, and connoisseurs of Broadway’s enduring legacy.

Measurements:

Zenda (1963):

Length: 9 Inches;

Width: 6 Inches;

Sleuth (1971):

Length: 9 Inches;

Width: 6 Inches;

The City Center of Music and Drama (1962):

Length: 9 Inches;

Width: 6 Inches;

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