If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

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If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 5:25am

Hi there. I'm planning a trip in February to New York and I have never been to Lincoln Center. I am super-interested in their vast amounts of theatrical recordings. Using the ever-helpful search feature, I figured out (and please correct me if I'm wrong) I either need to be someone working in the field or a student doing a paper on something specifically relating to that. Since I am a student and minoring in theater, I don't think that would be too difficult. However, since I only will really get one shot at this, I kind of want to be prepared and am wondering (a) if I need an appointment, or if I can just go down there, and most importantly (b) what would you suggest?

I have racked my brain trying to figure out what show I would see and it's not that I have no ideas - I just have too many. So if you could list any you've seen or what you would love to see if you could, I would love you forever. Thank you!
Oh, and sorry this went on for so long and probably made little sense at parts. It's 2:30 and I'm trying to cram for my Psychotherapy final. But yeah - cookies to those who answer.

Updated On: 3/7/10 at 05:25 AM

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 7:39am

I'm not sure what the process is either but I want to see "Xanadu," largely because I was there that night and some of the stuff that went on was priceless.

Neither a student or a theatre professional, so I may be screwed, but it would be worth a shot.

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 8:09am

Is their a website that the LCT has to list their archives?

I'll have them clawing at eachother, like drag queens at a wig sale"

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 8:15am

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the proceedings to get in, but I did peruse a b&w, occasionally grainy production of the original Chorus Line when it opened on Broadway. Of the hundreds of shows I've seen not live in person, this copy absolutley thrilled. The relationship between Cassie and Zack finally gelled for me.

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 8:28am

There are some tapes that you have to get permission from the rights holders/estates to watch: all of Michael Bennett's shows, for example.

I had to get permission from the Loesser estate to watch GUYS & DOLLS a few months ago.

But when I had to view the Dennehy/Redgrave LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, all I had to do was make an appointment in advance and show up.

Plus, you never know who you're gonna see there...

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 9:09am

"Sorry, I'm not familiar with the proceedings to get in, but I did peruse a b&w, occasionally grainy production of the original Chorus Line when it opened on Broadway. Of the hundreds of shows I've seen not live in person, this copy absolutley thrilled. The relationship between Cassie and Zack finally gelled for me."

The collection has a video shot at the Public before it moved to Broadway, as well as one of the record-breaking special performance at the Shubert. I believe what you watched is the former.

For the vast majority of videos, you don't need special permission. You do need to state a reason for watching related to research and to give an organization (theatre company, school, etc.), but they don't check those very closely.

There are so many extraordinary videos there. Of the ones I've seen, if I could have one for myself, it would be the video of the national tour of the original production of Company. But it's one of the earliest videos they shot. It's in black and white and the camera never goes in very close and the cast of the tour at the time this was shot is uneven. Still, it's a thrilling document. But I know some people who've viewed it have not been able to get past the video quality.

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 9:45am

Many of the materials at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts are available without prior reservations or specific permission. I spent two afternoons there in recent years, going into the research room without a coat or brief case(which can be checked at the ground floor). One afternoon I researched the original production of GYPSY. I had access to producer Leland Hayward's scrapbook of newspaper clippings and reviews, which I was allowed to Xerox, for a modest cost. I also made arrangements to have copies made of 5 press photos of GYPSY, for a litle more than $100. Those photos are framed and are on my living room wall.

On another afternoon, I researched the set and lighting designer Jo Mielziner, gaining access to many drawings. I had to wear special gloves.

There is a very helpful staff there to assist you. Have fun.

"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 10:04am

I would suggest that you call and make an appointment. That way you will know that you are getting what you want to see.

Also make sure you check the catalog before deciding. Some of the shows are not the original cast and some were filmed late in the run.
TOFT Catalog

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 10:12am

I agree with Gothampc that you should make an appointment to view a video. While you can just show up, and on most weekdays if you do it at the right time, you'll be seated and see what you want, it's best to make an appointment. The phone number is 212-870-1642.

For research other than videos, there's no need to make an appointment (and I don't think they even accept them).

Also, while the link that Gothampc provided is very helpful, you should know that not everything that's in the collection is listed online. I don't know why they haven't managed to do that, but they haven't. If you're looking for something in particular that's not listed online, you can ask them by calling.

Updated On: 12/9/08 at 10:12 AM

#10

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 10:48am

My daughter would like to view some videos here for her theater class, but I will also be with her as well as her sister. Will we all be able to see the video or are they strict about just the researcher seeing it?

#11

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 11:19am

"My daughter would like to view some videos here for her theater class"

How old is your daughter? They're cranky about nobody under 18 being there.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#12

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 1:18pm

Wow. I love waking up to a bunch of helpful responses. Thank you all so much! Still trying to decide what to see (there's just sooooo many options), but will definitely make an appointment regardless. Thanks again. :)

#13

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 5:11pm

"How old is your daughter? They're cranky about nobody under 18 being there. "

She's 18

#14

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 5:15pm

I'd looove to see the video of Parade, but I don't think I'll ever be able to unless I can somehow tie it to my clinical psychology research.

Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

Updated On: 12/9/08 at 05:15 PM

#15

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 5:31pm

It kills me to see that catalog. I wish they would make some of these commercially available.

#16

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 5:45pm

"I'd looove to see the video of Parade"

Just tell them you are considering auditioning for a production of the show and you want to see what you are getting yourself into.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#17

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 5:45pm

Hmm, we'll see if I'm ever in NYC.

Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#18

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/9/08 at 5:55pm

"I wish they would make some of these commercially available."

Yes, some of these are real gems.

People used to call the library and ask if they could get a video shipped to them. Ha!

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#19

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/10/08 at 1:45am

The original cast black and white tour of Company hands down. Even if george C seems a weird choice for Bobby--to see McKechnie and Stritch, to see the original Aronson set in action, Bennett's choreography WOW

#20

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/10/08 at 2:30am

How bad is the quality of the Company tour? I would love to see the original choreography and have grown to adore this show. Although it is still quite difficult to pick just one looking through the catalog.

#21

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/10/08 at 2:45am

I would love to see the Phantom of the Opera vid. I thought you had to have permission for such things.

#22

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/10/08 at 2:49am

I'veseen bits of the Company and it's not that bad--just distant. The quality is better than the Chorus Line.

Youtube used to have Donna McKechnie doing a sligthly tamer version of Bennett's Tick Tock in the 20th anniversary concert of Company--I dunno if it's still there

#23

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/10/08 at 3:57am

It's still there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyiZH4HjU98

#24

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/10/08 at 5:17am

Very cool! She was suffering from severe pains at the time wasn't she? Either way it's great to see. As a huge Sondheim fan and a huge fan of dance on Broadway it upsets me that with each Sondheim show they seem to get less dance havy in terms of how story is told--the revivals even...

#25

re: If you could see one Lincoln Center Recording

Posted: 12/10/08 at 9:22am

I know the one day you need to have an apointment for sure is saturday. It might be better to just have one than walk in but both times I went (on two seperate trips) I walked in and viewed City of Angels and Grand Hotel.

<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado

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