Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Robbins Rights Trust. dnr
2. Oral history archive.

Found in

1. Jerome Robbins Collection

Description

1. 1 sound disc (ca. 12 min.) : digital; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

1. Jerome Robbins reminisces about his long-time association with Oliver Smith. He recalls his first meeting with Smith, when he was rehearsing with American Ballet Theatre and Smith offered to design sets for his first ballet, Fancy free; Smith's role in connecting him with Leonard Bernstein, who wrote the music for Fancy free, and in suggesting that he turn the ballet into a musical comedy, On the town. Robbins reflects on the breadth of Smith's achievements as a designer, and recalls that he insisted on having Smith design all of his own Broadway shows. He describes Smith's personal appearance, the qualities of his set designs, and his working process. He concludes by reading a letter written to him by Smith about the musical comedy West side story, in which Smith comments on his impression of the script by Arthur Laurents, his ideas for the sets, and his work on a ballet by Agnes de Mille.

Alternative title

1. Jerome Robbins Collection. Audio materials.

Subject

1. Artistic collaboration
2. Audiotapes > Robbins, J
3. Robbins, Jerome > Friends and associates
4. Musicals > West side story
5. Set designers
6. Smith, Oliver Lemuel, 1918-1994

Call number

1. *MGZTL 4-2731 JRC

Note

1. In this recording, which was probably made on the occasion of set designer Oliver Smith's death, Jerome Robbins speaks about their collaborations.
2. Sound quality is good.

Funding (note)

1. Preservation was funded by the Jerome Robbins Foundation.

Source (note)

1. Robbins Rights Trust

Linking entry (note)

1. Forms part of: Jerome Robbins Collection. Audio materials.

Author

1. Robbins, Jerome.

Title

1. [Jerome Robbins speaks about Oliver Smith] [sound recording].

Imprint

1. 1994.

Original version

1. Original format : 1 sound cassette (ca. 12 min.; 1 7/8 in. per sec.; 2 channels). Originally recorded 1994.

Funding

1. Preservation was funded by the Jerome Robbins Foundation.

Linking entry

1. Forms part of: Jerome Robbins Collection. Audio materials.

Local note

1. Archive original: *MGZTCO 3-2731 JRC

Source

1. Gift; Robbins Rights Trust, 2009. NN-PD

Added author

1. Robbins Rights Trust. Donor
2. Oral history archive.

Added title

1. Jerome Robbins Collection. Audio materials.

Found in:

1. Jerome Robbins Collection

Research call number

1. *MGZTL 4-2731 JRC