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Guide to the Radovic Collection of Pittsburgh Theatre Programs, 1927-1931 CTC.1962.01

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Radovic Collection of Pittsburgh Theatre Programs
Creator
Radovic, John M.
Collection Number
CTC.1962.01
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes, 28 folders)
Date
1927-1931
Abstract
This collection contains a nearly complete record of the George Sharp Players, a Pittsburgh stock company, as well as additional materials on other Pittsburgh stock companies compiled by John M. Radovic and his sister Dorothy.
Language
English .
Author
Colleen Reilly.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

History

This collection of Pittsburgh theatre programs and related clippings was compiled almost entirely by John M. Radovic, who attended Pittsburgh theatre regularly from 1916 until his untimely death in 1931 at age 31. The collection is of particular interest because it represents an almost complete record of the George Sharp Players, by far the best and most durable of Pittsburgh's stock companies.

The George Sharp Players enjoyed five consecutive seasons in Pittsburgh from 1927 to 1931, offering the typical stock company bill -- melodrama, light comedy, mystery, and farce. Among performers who went on to national stardom are Paul McGrath, Alexander Kirkland, Ralph Morgan, Anne Forrest, and Ann Harding. Leading lady Ann Harding, with her husband, Harry Bannister, broke away in 1928 to form a rival company, the Nixon Players, taking their name from the theatre in which they played; the company lasted only one season. The George Sharp Players performed at the Pitt Shubert until their final month in 1931 at the Pitt Alvin. Similar to other stock companies throughout the country, the George Sharp Players were forced to close because of the increasing popularity of motion pictures.

George Sharp returned to Pittsburgh for a brief season late in 1932, to manage the Edwin Vail Players, which then changed its name to the George Sharp Players. In 1934 he came again, to stage a few plays at the Fort Pitt Hotel. He died in Los Angeles in 1951.

Scope and Content Notes

The collection is comprised mainly of programs and clippings, and is divided into two series. Series I contains the bulk of the collection including programs and clippings relating to the George Sharp Players. Series II holds programs and clippings for the Nixon Players and various stock companies in Pittsburgh theatres.

Arrangement

Series I. George Sharp Players

Series II. Various Stock Companies in Pittsburgh Theatres

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Dorothy B. Radovic in 1962.

Previous Citation

Radovic Collection of Pittsburgh Theatre Programs, 1927-1931, CTC.1962.01, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

Radovic Collection of Pittsburgh Theatre Programs, 1927-1931, CTC.09, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Radovic Collection of Pittsburgh Theatre Programs, 1927-1931, CTC.1962.01, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Ford E. Curtis in 1962. Collection inventory re-processed by Colleen Reilly in February 2007.

Copyright

Property rights reside with the University of Pittsburgh. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.

Related Material

Pitt Theatre materials, Ford E. and Harriet R. Curtis Theatre Collection of Pittsburgh Theatre Programs, 1840-present, CTC.1966.01, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

Fort Pitt Hotel, Curtis Pittsburgh Performing Arts Information Files

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Edwin Vail Players (Theater company)
    • George Sharp Players (Theater company)
    • Nixon Players (Theater company)

    Personal Names

    • Radovic, Dorothy B.
    • Radovic, John M.
    • Sharp, George

    Geographic Names

    • Gayety Theatre (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Heinz House (Pittsburgh, Pa.).
    • Lyceum Theatre (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Nixon Theatre (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)
    • Alvin Theatre (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Davis Theatre (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Duquesne Theatre (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Theater
    • Theater -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Melodrama
    • Comedy
    • Performing arts -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Mystery
    • Farce

Container List