Description :

San Francisco Stage Legacy – 17 Playbills of Rare Theatrical Provenance

This curated auction lot features 17 original, production-issued programs from San Francisco’s mid-century theatrical scene, each numbered and credited with cast, crew, and creative teams. These are not generalized revivals or touring editions—they are historically specific, verifiable releases that reflect the city’s rich cultural tapestry.

1. Fol de Rol Goes Variety – Presented by the San Francisco Opera Guild in cooperation with QIANA by du Pont. Paul Speegle served as master of ceremonies, with Matthew Farrugio as production coordinator. Supervised by Kurt Herbert Adler, with support from Peggy Davis, Mela Fleming, Karen Hornschuch, and Allen Barker.

2. Scapino – The American Conservatory Theatre’s Young Vic production starred Jim Dale, with Gavin Reed, Ian Trigger, Norman Abrams, Sarah Jane Atkins, and Raye Birk. Directed by Frank Dunlop, music by Jim Dale, lighting by F. Mitchell Dana, adapted from Molière’s Les Fourberies de Scapin.

3. Barbary Coast – Produced by Barbary Coast Productions Inc., starring Jerry Laning and Marcia Rodd, with Ben Wrigley, Lette Rehnolds, Gillian Scalici, and Lola Fisher. Book, music, and lyrics by William Penzner, directed by Jack Bunch, choreography by Ed Nolfi.

4. O Mistress Mine – Geary Theatre Guild and John C. Wilson presented Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in Terence Rattigan’s new comedy. Settings by Robert Davison, costumes by Molyneux, with cast members Eva Leonard Boyne and Esther Mitchell.

5. Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company – Geary Theatre, September 18, 1961. Led by Helena Z. Benitez (President), Luis Ma. Araneta (Vice President), Leticia Perez de Guzman (Company Director), Lucrecia R. Kasilag (Music Director), and Isabela A. Santos (Assistant Director).

6. Manon – San Francisco Opera’s 59th Fall Season at War Memorial Opera House. Performed in French, conducted by Julius Rudel, directed by Rhoda Levine, set design by David Mitchell, stage managed by Gretchen Mueller, featuring Jake Gardner.

7. HMS Pinafore – Presented by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Cast included Peter Pratt, Jeffrey Skitch, Neville Griffiths, Donald Adams, Trevor Hills, George Cook, Muriel Harding, and Joyce Wright. Music by Arthur Sullivan, libretto by W.S. Gilbert.

8. The Mikado / The Yeomen of the Guard / Trial by Jury – D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’s Gilbert & Sullivan season at Geary Theatre, August 1955. Cast: Donald Adams, Neville Griffiths, Peter Pratt, Fisher Morgan, Alan Styler, Leonard Osborn, John Fryatt, Frederick Sinden, John Reed, John Banks, Trevor Hills. Orchestra led by Isidore Godfrey.

9. The San Francisco Pageant – Chapter 1: The Innocent Fair – A rare local production reflecting early cultural narratives.

10. The Wisteria Tree – Colonial Theatre, Feb 14–Mar 4, 1950. Starring Helen Hayes, with Kent Smith, Walter Abel, Peggy Conklin. Written and directed by Joshua Logan, based on Chekhov’s Cherry Orchard. Settings by Jo Mielziner, costumes by Lucinda Ballard, music by Lehman Engel.

11. Woodminster Light Opera Series – August 1, 1964. Featuring the Pacific Ballet Orchestra conducted by Nico Snel, with performers Marilyn Knowles, Leslie Crockett, Mardi Jacobs, Helen Martinez, Sharon Lewis, and Judanna Lynn.

12. Woodminster Attractions 1964 – Included Carousel (Rodgers & Hammerstein), Close Harmony Follies, HMS Pinafore (Lamplighters), and My Fair Lady (Lerner & Loewe). Special pricing for series ticket holders.

13. Show Boat – Curran Theatre, Sept 26, 1960. San Francisco Civic Light Opera’s 23rd Annual Season. Starring Joe E. Brown, Julie Wilson, Eddie Foy Jr., Jacquelyn McKeever, Richard Banke, Lawrence Winters, Helen Raymond, Virginia Capers, and introducing Ruta Lee. Directed by Edward Greenberg, music by Jerome Kern, produced by Edwin Lester.

14. United States Science Exhibit – Seattle World’s Fair, 1962. Titled Conquering Holding Daring Venturing, presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

15. Oliver! – Curran Theatre, Sept 25, 1962. Presented by David Merrick and Donald Albery, starring Clive Revill, Georgia Brown, Willoughby Goddard, Hope Jackman, Geoffrey Lumb. Directed by Peter Coe, musical direction by Donald Pippin, book/music/lyrics by Lionel Bart.

16. Judy Garland in Concert – War Memorial Opera House, July 1, 1959. Featuring Alan King and John W. Bubbles, musical direction by Gordon Jenkins, staging by Richard Barstow, special music by Roger Edens, lighting by Jean Rosenthal, produced by Sidney Luft.

17. Jesus Christ Superstar – Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco. Presented by Hal Zeigner, Steve Leber, and David Krebs. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice, starring William Daniel Grey, Kurt Yahjian, Holly T. Lipton, Gregory Karliss, Paul Ainsley, Allan Louw, Steve Schochet. Directed by Charles Gray, settings by Frank Desmond, lighting by Leon di Leone.

This numbered set is a museum-worthy archive of San Francisco’s theatrical golden age, ideal for collectors, historians, and institutions preserving American performance heritage.

Shipping Available: See “Learn About Shipping Terms and Conditions”