Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Sondheim, Stephen.
2. Guare, John.
3. Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990.
4. Mosher, Gregory.

Description

1. 4 sound discs (ca. 199 min.) : digital; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

1. (Discs 1 or 3, ca. 60 min.) A discussion between Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, John Guare and Gregory Mosher concerning Robbins' experimental theater work, The exception and the rule, also known as A pray by Blecht.[An unidentified assistant is also present, but she says little.] Robbins discusses conveying Brecht's message to the audience; the use of the "surround" design of the theater; Bernstein discusses the show as modeled on the work of Luigi Pirandello; Guare discusses parallels between the show and the film, Holiday for Henrietta; Robbins and the group discuss the opening scene and various aspects of the play's subject matter; Robbins discusses their failure to convey Brecht's ideas and characterizations; Guare discusses developing the work into a two-act piece; creating a work that is both entertaining and politically valid. Other aspects of the show's development, style and objectives are discussed. [Ends abruptly ca. 52 min.]
2. (Discs 2 or 4, ca. 41 min.) [Begins abruptly.] Robbins, Bernstein, Guare, and Mosher continue to discuss the work, The exception and the rule. Bernstein discusses using the literal translation of the Brecht play instead of the version by Eric Bentley; tells an anecdote and joke about the Yiddish theater. The group discusses the opening scene; engaging the audience with the "making of the show" aspect of the work; the upcoming rehearsals and readings; the casting of the show, including the use of actors Dustin Hoffman, Bill Irwin and Reggie and Rock (surnames unknown). During remaining (ca. 10 min.) of recording the group stops discussing the project formally and comically sings excerpts from musicals. [Ends abruptly.]

Donor/Sponsor

1. Oral History Archive.

Series statement

1. Jerome Robbins Collection

Subject

1. Experimental theater > New York (State) > New York
2. Robbins, Jerome > Contributions in theater
3. Theater > New York (State) > New York > Production and direction
4. Artistic collaboration
5. Brecht, Bertolt, 1898-1956 > Ausnahme und die Regel
6. Audiotapes > Robbins, J

Call number

1. *MGZTL 4-3298 JRC

Note

1. Discs 1 and 2 appear identical in content to discs 3 and 4. The sound quality of discs 1 and 2 is poor. Listener should use discs 3 and 4.
2. Recorded on Nov. 3, 1986 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in New York, N.Y.

Access (note)

1. Permission required.

Funding (note)

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

Biography (note)

1. The exception and the rule, also known as A pray by Blecht, is a musical adaptation of the original work by Bertolt Brecht, conceived by Jerome Robbins. Leonard Bernstein, John Guare and Stephen Sondheim collaborated with Robbins on the project. A play within a play that takes place in a television studio, the plot features two rival groups of oil merchants racing through the desert and the relationship between one of the oilmen and his coolie, juxtaposed with black and white race relations. The show was scheduled for the Broadhurst Theater in Feb. 1969 but never opened. It was restaged in a workshop in 1987, retitled Race to Urga. Additional materials relating to these productions can be found in the Jerome Robbins Papers at the New York Public Library.

Author

1. Robbins, Jerome.

Title

1. Bernstein, Guare, Robbins, Mosher [sound recording] : Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

Imprint

1. 1986.

Series

1. Jerome Robbins Collection

Access

1. Permission required.

Funding

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

Biography

1. The exception and the rule, also known as A pray by Blecht, is a musical adaptation of the original work by Bertolt Brecht, conceived by Jerome Robbins. Leonard Bernstein, John Guare and Stephen Sondheim collaborated with Robbins on the project. A play within a play that takes place in a television studio, the plot features two rival groups of oil merchants racing through the desert and the relationship between one of the oilmen and his coolie, juxtaposed with black and white race relations. The show was scheduled for the Broadhurst Theater in Feb. 1969 but never opened. It was restaged in a workshop in 1987, retitled Race to Urga. Additional materials relating to these productions can be found in the Jerome Robbins Papers at the New York Public Library.

Local note

1. Archive original: *MGZT0 3-3298 JRC
2. Preservation master: *MGZTP 10-3298 JRC
3. Dubbing master: *MGZTD 4-3298 JRC

Local subject

1. Audiotapes -- Robbins, J.

Added author

1. Sondheim, Stephen.
2. Guare, John.
3. Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990.
4. Mosher, Gregory.

Research call number

1. *MGZTL 4-3298 JRC