Norton (Richard C.) musical theater history collection, 1810-2022

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Summary

Title:
Richard C. Norton musical theater history collection
Dates:
1810-2022
Creators:
Norton, Richard C., 1953-
Abstract:
The Richard C. Norton musical theater history collection consists mostly of materials on paper assembled by Richard C. Norton, documenting musical theater history through ephemera, published and unpublished materials. The collection includes 25,000 playbills, 800 typescripts, 1,500 published libretti associated with musical theater around the world, and 13,000 broadway musical scores from 2800 broadway musicals ranging from 1810-2020. The collection was one of the sources of information supporting the three volume "Chronology of American Musical Theater" (2002) written by Norton and published by the Oxford University Press.
Extent:
418.40 Linear Feet (403 boxes: 194 cartons, 39 document boxes, 170 flat boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Richard C. Norton musical theater history collection, PA Mss 240. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

Richard C. Norton musical theater history collection consists of approximately 25,000 musical theater programs and playbills, 800 unpublished typescripts, 1,500 published opera and musical theater libretti, and 13,000 broadway musical scores from 2800 broadway musicals all ranging from 1810-2022. There also contains various materials such as books, pressbooks and posters.

Biographical / historical:

This collection was assembled by Richard C. Norton over the course of his life as a musical theater historian, producer and enthusiast. He graduated from Harvard University in 1974, particpating in many university productions. He lived in New York City, maintaining a close relationship with Broawday as a producer, attendee, and collector. In 2002, he completed his three-volume series "A Chronology of American Musical Theater" that covers an unprecedented number of musical theater productions from 1750-2001, detailing substantial information for each production. Norton continues to demonstrate his commitment to musical theater history by maintaining a growing collection of musical theater materials.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Richard C. Norton, 2021.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in five series by type.

  • Playbills
  • Typescripts
  • Published Libretti
  • Various materials
  • Musical scores

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Collection processed and arranged by Caitlyn Park, 2023. Finding aid prepared by Caitlyn Park, 2023. Finding aid updated by Jake Robin, 2026.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-06-16 09:22:58 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.

All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Richard C. Norton musical theater history collection, PA Mss 240. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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