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Norton (Richard C.) musical theater history collection
PA Mss 240
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Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Title: Richard C. Norton musical theater history collection
Identifier/Call Number: PA Mss 240
Physical Description:
242 Linear Feet
234 Paige boxes and 8 flat-oversize boxes.
Date (inclusive): 1865-2022
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documenting musical theater history through ephemera, published and unpublished materials.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, and 1,500 published libretti associated with musical theater around the world, ranging from 1850-2020.
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.
Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library.
Language of Material:
English
.
The collection is open for research.
Gift of Richard C. Norton, 2021.
The collection is arranged in three series; Series 1. Playbills; Series 2. Typescripts;
Series 3. Published Libretti.
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.
[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.
The collection is divided into three series: Series 1: Playbills, Series 2: Unpublished Typescripts, Series 3: Published Libretti.
The majority of the collection represents American musical theater, with substantial material also covering London's West
End, and International productions.
Series 1, Playbills
This series contains approximately 25,000 musical theater programs and playbills. This series is organized into seven subseries.
Materials range from 1865-2022. Twentieth century playbills from productions in the US and the UK are especially well represented
in the collection. This series includes standard playbills as well as a sizable number of oversize, collectible, and souvenir
materials. Souvenirs may contain rare production photos.
Subseries 1: US Broadway: contains playbills from Broadway musicals produced in New York City on Broadway. Arranged chronologically by
opening date.
Subseries 2: US Regional/Tour: contains playbills from Broadway musicals produced outside of New York City in the United States and Canada.
Arranged alphabetically.
Subseries 3: Off-Broadway: contains playbills from musicals originating from off-Broadway. Arranged chronologically by opening date.
Subseries 4: Special Programing: containts playbills from special programming produced in New York City, including showcases, readings,
workshops, memorials, benefits, as well as student productions at several United States universities. Arranged alphabetically.
Subseries 5: United Kingdom: contains playbills from musical theater produced all around the UK, with the majority from London's West
End. Arranged alphabetically.
Subseries 6: Australia/New Zealand: contains playbills from musical theater productions in Australia and New Zealand. Arranged alphabetically.
Subseries 7: International: contains playbills from musical theater productions around the world. Productions may be international tours
or locally produced. Arranged by country.
Series 2, Typescripts
This series contains approximately 800 unpublished typescripts. The materials cover US regional, national, and international
musical theater works ranging from 1883-2017, with the bulk of materials from 1950-2000. Typescripts assembled during production
may be in original print or zerox form. Zerox copies assembled during production are often indistinguishable from original
typescripts. Typescripts often represent productions in early stages and may contain substantial deviations from later productions.
Materials are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 3, Published Libretti
This series contains approximately 1,500 published opera and musical theater libretti ranging from 1850s-2000s. The bulk of
the collection is published in English, with additional copies of popular works in German, French, Spanish, and Italian. They
are arranged alphabetically by title.
Series 4, Miscellaneous
This series contains various materials including books, press books, and posters.
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.