Playwrights' Producing Company

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The Playwrights' Producing Company, a theatrical production company also know as the Playwrights' Company, was founded in New York in 1938. The original group of partners were playwrights Maxwell Anderson, S.N. Behrman (withdrew in 1946), Elmer Rice, Robert Sherwood, and Sidney Howard (d. 1939). John R. Wharton supplied legal and management advice. Kurt Weill joined the Company in 1946 and Robert Anderson joined in 1953. The group produced plays written by its members and other playwrights. The Company ceased operations in 1960.

From the guide to the Playwrights' Producing Company records, 1930s-1960, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

The Playwrights' Producing Company (also known simply as the Playwrights' Company) was incorporated in July of 1938. According to an agreement made between Maxwell Anderson, S.N. Behrman, Sidney Howard, Elmer Rice, Robert E. Sherwood, and John F. Wharton on the 12th of April, 1938, the company was formed to produce plays by members and other authors. Wharton, the only member not active as a playwright, was retained to act as counsel and financial supervisor for the corporation. The composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950) was associated with the company from the year of its founding, becoming a member in 1946. Works he composed in association with the company include, but are not limited to: Knickerbocker Holiday (with Maxwell Anderson, 1938), Madam, will you walk? (music for the Night Court scene in the play by Sidney Howard, 1939), Street scene (with Elmer Rice, 1946), and Lost in the stars (with Maxwell Anderson, 1949). The company was formally dissolved in June 1960.

From the description of Papers relating to Kurt Weill, 1938-1961. (Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison). WorldCat record id: 122520464

The Playwrights' Producing Company (also known as the Playwrights' Company), was a theatrical production organization founded in 1938 by Maxwell Anderson, S.N. Behrman, Sidney Howard, Elmer Rice, Robert E. Sherwood, and John F. Wharton.

The group produced plays written by its members and other playwrights. The company was dissolved in 1960.

From the description of Playwrights' Producing Company records, 1930s-1960. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122580501

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn S. N. Behrman papers, 1912-1987 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Playwrights' Producing Company. Papers relating to Kurt Weill, 1938-1961. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
referencedIn Betty and John Wharton papers, 1917-1978 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Playwrights' Producing Company records, 1930s-1960. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Wharton, Betty. Papers, 1917-1978. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Behrman, S. N. (Samuel Nathaniel), 1893-1973. S. N. Behrman papers, 1912-1987. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Playwrights' Producing Company records, 1930s-1960 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. File no. 3553, pertaining to the Kurt Weill estate, 1950-1961. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Alford, Walter person
associatedWith Alford, Walter. person
correspondedWith Anderson, Maxwell, 1888-1959 person
associatedWith Behrman, S. N. (Samuel Nathaniel), 1893-1973. person
associatedWith Chappell & Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Crawford Music Corporation. corporateBody
associatedWith Fields, William person
associatedWith Fields, William. person
associatedWith Kurt Weill Foundation for Music. Weill-Lenya Research Center. corporateBody
associatedWith Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. corporateBody
associatedWith Playwrights' Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Rice, Elmer, 1892-1967 person
associatedWith State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Division of Archives and Manuscripts. corporateBody
correspondedWith Weill, Kurt, 1900-1950 person
associatedWith Wharton, Betty person
associatedWith Wharton, Betty. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
New York (State)--New York
Subject
Theater
Theater
Singers
Singers
Authorship
Copyright
Dancers
Dancers
Dramatists, American
Theatrical producers and directors
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1938

Active 1961

Information

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