Research Catalog

Title

Oral history interview with Bernie Gersten, 1987-02-05/07-22 [sound recording].

Author

Gersten, Bernard

Publication

1987.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Turan, Kenneth.

Description

6 sound cassettes : analog.

Summary

Bernard Gersten, executive producer of Lincoln Center Theater since its founding in 1985, who was Joseph Papp's top deputy at the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Public Theater from 1960 to 1978, and the associate producer of various New York Shakespeare Festival productions in 1960-1978, shares his memories about his relationship with Papp and Papp's relationships with friends and associates such as Michael Bennett and others, for many of whom he was artistic "father" and mentor. He discusses Papp's vision and his legacy as founder and director of the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater, and the origins of Papp's project to produce free Shakespeare productions in Central Park, as well as the importance of the Public Theater as a theatrical organization. Gersten also reminisces about the conflict between Papp and Robert Moses, who was NYC's Parks Commissioner at that time, and who fought against free Shakespeare in the Park, and unsuccessfully attempted to oust Papp from his position as director-producer of the New York Shakespeare Festival. He analyzes the reasons for the successes and failures of various New York Shakespeare Festival productions such as A chorus line, That championship season, Two gentlemen of Verona (musical) and such. He talks about the New York Shakespeare Festival's purchase of the Astor Building on Lafayette Street, and its conversion into multiple theaters and dance rehearsal spaces. He speaks about the conflict between himself and Papp that finally led to Papp firing him from this job in 1978. He reminisces about various events related to Joseph Papp such as an independent festival "Ballroom" ([Michael [Bennett], producer), Papp's birthday party (1978), the funeral of Michael Bennett (Sept. 29, 1987) and others. He also criticizes Papp for firing him and many of his co-workers who helped him to create the New York Shakespeare Festival and worked with him for many years.

Alternative Title

• Free for all: Joe Papp, the public, and the greatest story ever told.
• Joseph Papp oral history interviews.

Subjects

• Gersten, Bernard > Interviews
• Gersten, Bernard > Friends and associates
• Public Theater (New York, N.Y.)
• New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater
• Theatrical producers and directors > United States > Interviews
• Interviews (Sound recordings)
• Oral histories
• Papp, Joseph > Influence
• Theater > Production and direction > United States > History > 20th century

Genre/Form

• Oral histories.
• Interviews.
• Sound recordings.

Note

• Interview by Kenneth Turan, originally recorded for the book "Free for all: Joe Papp, the public, and the greatest story ever told" which was published in 2009.
• A track ID has been inserted every five minutes within this interview for reference purposes.

Access (note)

• Access to original items restricted.

Event (note)

• Recorded [in New York?], Feb. 5-July 22, 1987.

Additional Formats (note)

• Service compact discs (12 sound discs : digital, mono. ; 4 3/4 in.) available on *LDC 51647, discs 1-12.

Call Number

*LDC 51647

OCLC

781948393

Author

Gersten, Bernard, interviewee.

Title

Oral history interview with Bernie Gersten, 1987-02-05/07-22 [sound recording].

Imprint

1987.

Event

Recorded [in New York?], Feb. 5-July 22, 1987.

Access

Access to original items restricted.

Additional Formats

Service compact discs (12 sound discs : digital, mono. ; 4 3/4 in.) available on *LDC 51647, discs 1-12.

Connect to:

Request Access to Music Division Audio and Moving Image material

Added Author

Turan, Kenneth. Interviewer

Papp, Gail Merrifield. Donor

Added Title

Free for all: Joe Papp, the public, and the greatest story ever told.

Joseph Papp oral history interviews.

Research Call Number

*LDC 51647

*LTC-A 761

*LTC-A 763

*LTC-A 764

*LTC-A 766

*LTC-A 767

*LTC-A 770