Research Catalog

Title

Ritual [videorecording] : Dealy diamond. [Feb. 27, 1968] / [directed by Jerome Robbins].

Publication

1968.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Robbins, Jerome
• Frey, Leonard, 1938-
• Primus, Barry, 1938-
• Costello, Mariclare.
• Kurtz, Marcia.
• Monte, Barbara.
• Martin, Erin, 1936-
• Guare, John.
• Stone, Tom.
• American Theatre Laboratory (New York, N.Y.)

Description

1 videocassette (VHS, NTSC) (63 min.) : sd., b&w; 1/2 in.

Summary

Jerome Robbins directs a rehearsal of a scene from an untitled work in progress, in which the character of Jacqueline Kennedy gives testimony about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy before the Warren Commission. The scene is staged in the style of a Noh play. It is preceded by a wordless sequence in which the actors enter and walk around a diamond marked with masking tape on the floor. After a complete run-through of the scene, Jerome Robbins discusses the scene with the actors and participates in a second rehearsal of the scene as a member of the chorus. The second rehearsal includes elements derived from the Japanese tea ceremony.

Series Statement

Jerome Robbins Collection

Alternative Title

American Theatre Laboratory rehearsal.

Subjects

• Drama
• Kennedy, John F (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963 > Assassination > Drama
• Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, 1929-1994 > Drama
• Theater rehearsals
• Experimental theater > New York (State) > New York

Genre/Form

Drama.

Note

• Title from original container.
• No time/date code on frame.

Access (note)

• Permission required.

Event (note)

• Videotaped in American Theatre Laboratory rehearsal, in New York City, on Feb. 27, 1968.

Funding (note)

• Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biography (note)

• American Theatre Laboratory was created in 1966 by Jerome Robbins, with a $300,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The experimental theater workshop rehearsed several projects but did not produce any shows. One project took the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as a subject. The script, begun by Tom Stone and further developed by John Guare, was adapted from the Warren Commission Report, and the staging was influenced by Japanese Noh drama. Scenes from this project were rehearsed in many different forms and with different casts. American Theatre Laboratory disbanded in 1968.

Call Number

*MGZIA 4-6409 JRC

OCLC

NYPT03-F417

Title

Ritual [videorecording] : Dealy diamond. [Feb. 27, 1968] / [directed by Jerome Robbins].

Imprint

1968.

Country of Producing Entity

U.S.

Series

Jerome Robbins Collection

Restricted Access

Permission required.

Performer

Rehearsed by Leonard Frey (Jackie), Barry Primus (Rankin), Mariclare Costello, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Barbara Monte, Erin Martin (Chorus).

Event

Videotaped in American Theatre Laboratory rehearsal, in New York City, on Feb. 27, 1968.

Funding

Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biography

American Theatre Laboratory was created in 1966 by Jerome Robbins, with a $300,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The experimental theater workshop rehearsed several projects but did not produce any shows. One project took the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as a subject. The script, begun by Tom Stone and further developed by John Guare, was adapted from the Warren Commission Report, and the staging was influenced by Japanese Noh drama. Scenes from this project were rehearsed in many different forms and with different casts. American Theatre Laboratory disbanded in 1968.

Added Author

Robbins, Jerome, director.

Robbins, Jerome, performer.

Frey, Leonard, 1938- Performer

Primus, Barry, 1938- Performer

Costello, Mariclare. Performer

Kurtz, Marcia. Performer

Monte, Barbara. Performer

Martin, Erin, 1936- Performer

Guare, John. Author

Stone, Tom. Author

American Theatre Laboratory (New York, N.Y.)

Other Title

American Theatre Laboratory rehearsal.

Research Call Number

*MGZIA 4-6409 JRC