Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. North, John Ringling, 1903-
2. General Motors Corporation.
3. National Foundation.

Description

1. 5.5 linear ft. (14 boxes)

Summary

1. The Richard Barstow papers consist of manuscripts, manuscript copies, printed scores, and instrumental parts, including approximately two boxes of circus music.

Subject

1. Composers
2. Choreographers
3. Theatrical producers and directors
4. Scores
5. Composers > United States > 20th century
6. Choreographers > United States > 20th century
7. Dancers
8. Benefit performances > New York (State) > New York
9. Typescripts
10. Theatrical producers and directors > United States > 20th century
11. Circus music
12. Barstow, Richard

Genre/Form

1. Scores.
2. Typescripts.

Call number

1. JPB 04-37

Note

1. The Billy Rose Theatre Collection, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts holds related material, the Richard and Edith Barstow papers, 1915-1980 (*T-Mss 1981-001).
2. The Billy Rose Theatre Collection, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts holds related material, Correspondence to Morgan James, 1958-1977 (*T-Mss 1981-013).

Indexes/finding aids (note)

1. Finding aid available in repository and on internet.

Author

1. Barstow, Richard.

Title

1. Richard Barstow papers, 1927-1977 (bulk 1940-1977)

Biography

1. Richard Barstow (1908-1981) was a choreographer, director, dancer and composer. He began his varied show business career as a dancer, but went on to direct and choreograph for the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, industrial shows, as well as for stage, film and television productions. By the time Barstow was seven, he was appearing in a vaudeville dance act, "The Five Barstows", with his sisters. After several years, only Richard and his sister Edith remained in the act. The two would continue to work together on numerous projects throughout their careers. Barstow eventually settled in Chicago where he directed, choreographed and created material fo nightclub revues.
2. Barstow's career took a turn in 1949, when he was hired by John Ringling North of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, to direct and choreograph. He continued in this capacity for twenty-nine years and even wrote a number of songs for the circus. In addition to his work for the circus, Barstow had numerous stage credits as a choreographer and director, including several Broadway, summer theater, and nightclub productions. His extensive work for industrial shows included production staged for the General Motors Corporation during the 1950s.

Indexes

1. Finding aid available in repository and on internet.

Connect to:

1. Request Access to Music & Recorded Sound Division Special Collections material
2. Finding Aid

Occupation

1. Choreographers.
2. Composers.
3. Dancers.
4. Theatrical producers and directors.

Added author

1. North, John Ringling, 1903-
2. General Motors Corporation.
3. National Foundation.

Research call number

1. JPB 04-37