Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Freeman, Sandi
2. Papp, Joseph
3. Cable News Network, producer.

Description

1. 1 videodisc (DVD) (56 min.) : sd., col.; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

1. Producer/director Joseph Papp discusses his just-opened Broadway show The human comedy. The play is based on the novel by William Saroyan, with music by Galt MacDermot. Discussion includes its World War II setting and themes of war and loss and the staging of the show for its Broadway run; the work in comparison to the 1967 musical Hair, also written by MacDermot, and the development of that show at the Public Theater. Includes a commercial for The human comedy in which Papp impersonates Humphrey Bogart.
2. Papp discusses theater's need for innovation; his long-running musical A chorus line and its portrayal of the Broadway chorus dancer; the difficulty of casting the show; the training of singers and dancers in comparision with actors'; his role as a theater maverick in New York; the importance of art and drama education; the unaffordability of theater; subsidy for the theater; the relationship between growing up in an Yiddish speaking household and his development of an ear for Shakespearan language; and his present stage of life in terms of a five-act Shakespearean play.
3. Papp discusses theater's role in helping people to get in touch with their feelings; the possiblity of a national theater in the United States; Broadway's need for a balanced mix of musicals and serious plays; his toughness as a producer and his firing of personnel; his relationship with playwright David Rabe; how his personal qualities help him run his theatrical company successfully; his plan for expanding the theater audience in New York City; his feeling about winning two Tony Awards for his productions in 1972; his exploration of his cultural roots and his enjoyment of singing Yiddish songs.

Donor/Sponsor

1. Gift of the Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival.

Series statement

1. Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival Moving Image Collection

Alternative title

1. Joe Papp interview on CNN 3/30/84
2. New York Shakespeare Festival : related television coverage, March 30, 1984
3. Joseph Papp : related television coverage, March 30, 1984

Subject

1. Theater > New York (State) > New York
2. Papp, Joseph > Interviews
3. Drama in education
4. Interviews
5. New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater
6. Hamlisch, Marvin > Chorus line
7. Government aid to the theater
8. MacDermot, Galt > Human comedy
9. Theatrical producers and directors > Interviews
10. Saroyan, William, 1908-1981 > Human comedy
11. Papp, Joseph > Political and social views
12. Rabe, David
13. Theatrical productions > New York (State) > New York
14. Broadway (New York, N.Y.)
15. Theater audiences > New York (State) > New York
16. MacDermot, Galt > Hair
17. Television
18. Theater and society
19. Papp, Joseph > Friends and associates

Genre/Form

1. Television.
2. Interviews.

Call number

1. NCOX 5264

Note

1. This video separated from the New York Shakespeare Festival collection, *T-Mss 1993-028.
2. No credits on tape; title supplied by cataloger. Taped off air; includes commercials. Program begins at 5:26 and ends at 61:26.

Event (note)

1. Broadcast on CNN-TV, March 30, 1984 at 10:00 p.m. (EST).

Title

1. Freeman reports. Interview with Joseph Papp, March 30, 1984 [videorecording] / [produced for CNN Cable News Network]

Imprint

1. New York, c1984.

Country of producing entity

1. U.S.

Series

1. Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival Moving Image Collection

Performer

1. Host: Sandi Freeman.

Event

1. Broadcast on CNN-TV, March 30, 1984 at 10:00 p.m. (EST).

Added author

1. Freeman, Sandi, interviewer.
2. Papp, Joseph, interviewee.
3. Cable News Network, producer.

Added title

1. New York Shakespeare Festival : related television coverage, March 30, 1984 [videorecording]
2. Joseph Papp : related television coverage, March 30, 1984 [videorecording]

Research call number

1. NCOX 5264