HARNICK, Sheldon; Jerry Bock; Joseph Stein.
£12,500 · Offered by Peter Harrington
Fiddler on the Roof. Two rehearsal scripts, comprising an early version (entitled To Life! and bound in wrappers stamped Tevye), together with the "Final Playing Version", both inscribed by the show's lyricist on the title pages, "For Clive, Sheldon Harnick 5/2/16". The early script differs significantly from the final version. This classic Broadway show was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won nine.The early script is undated, but the title To Life! is noted as a "working title". The show is structured in 11 scenes in Act 1 (with the concluding scene in two parts: "11A" and "11B") and six scenes in Act 2 (with Scene 4 in three parts: "4a", "4b", and "4c"). The positioning of songs is indicated but the lyrics are, generally, omitted. As a result this copy includes a central section presenting the lyrics of "We've Never Missed a Sabbath Yet", "Sabbath Prayer", "A Butcher's Soul", "To Life", "Sunrise, Sunset", and "We'll Work for Tomorrow Today". This copy has an ink stamp of the producer Fred Coe (1914-1979) on the title page.The later script is dated "as of September 22, 1964". The structure has changed significantly to a prologue and 10 scenes in Act 1, followed by a prologue, eight scenes in Act 2, and an epilogue. The epilogue is indicated but no text is present. This copy carries an ownership signature of Sidney Borov (possibly the actor Daniel Benzali), and includes several textual corrections and short notes on blocking. Fred Coe has been replaced by Harold Prince, as
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