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Mary Tobey Playbill Collection
1932-1977

SC23309

Quantity: 5 boxes (1.50 cubic ft.)
Access: Open to research
Acquisition: Donated by Mary Tobey and Ann Tobey, November 9, 2005
Processed By: Paul Mercer, Senior Librarian, Manuscripts & Special Collections, September 2014

View catalog record

Scope and Content Note:

John S. Tobey (1907-1999) of Afton, New York, was employed in the lumber industry. During annual visits to New York City from 1932 until 1968, to attend building suppliers' conventions, he regularly attended Broadway shows. He was accompanied on these trips by his wife, Mary (Christie) Tobey (1907-2006). The playbills they collected (many accompanied by ticket stubs) serve as a record of these theatrical excursions. The collection also includes many contemporary clippings from newspapers and magazines, as well as sports memorabilia, restaurant menus, postcards and other documents associated with the entertainments that enlivened Tobey's business travels. The playbills and other items were donated to the State Library by Mary Tobey and her daughter Ann Tobey in 2005. 

Box and Folder List:


Box Folder Date of Performance Venue Title of Show Notes (per Mary and Ann Tobey) Processing
Notes
1 1 1932 Imperial Theatre Laugh Parade Featured: Ed Wynn  
1 2 Jan. 1932 Globe Theatre The Cat and the Fiddle By Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach.
Featured: Eddie Foy Jr.
 
1 3 Jan. 1933 Apollo Theatre Take a Chance Featured: Jack Haley, Ethel Merman  
1 4 Jan. 1934 Majestic Theatre Murder at the Vanities    
1 5 Jan. 1934 Winter Garden Ziegfeld Follies Presented by Mrs. Florenz Ziegfeld (aka Billie Burke).
Featured: Fanny Brice, Eve Arden
 
  6 Jan. 1935 Winter Garden Life Begins at 8:40 Featured: Burt Lahr, Ray Bolger  
1 7 Jan. 24, 1935 Center Theatre The Great Waltz Based on music of Johann Strauss, Sr. and Jr.  
1 8 Jan. 27, 1937 Center Theater White Horse Inn Featured: William Gaxton, Kitty Carlisle Tipped in: news clipping
1 9 Jan. 28, 1937 The Music Box Stage Door By: George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber.
Featured: Margaret Sullivan
 
1 10 Jan. 1938 Alvin Theatre I'd Rather be Right By: George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.
Music By Rogers & Hart.
Featured: George M. Cohan as President Roosevelt
Tipped in:
magazine clipping
1 11 Jan. 1940 Winter Garden Hellzapoppin By: Olsen & Johnson Tipped in:
flyer for Charley's Aunt
1 11a Jan. 1940 Winter Garden Hellzapoppin Souvenir program  
1 12 Jan. 26, 1943 Empire  Theatre Life With Father Based on: Clarence Day.
Play by: Lindsay & Crouse.
Featured: Dorothy Stickney & Howard Lindsay
Two copies

Tipped in:
clipped review (removed to oversize file, Box 5)

1 13 Jan. 27, 1943
(matinee)
Shubert Theatre By Jupiter Featured: Ray Bolger, Constance Moore, Benay Venuta Tipped in:
news clipping
1 14 Jan. 27, 1943 Forty-Sixth St. Theatre Junior  Miss Based on stories of Sally Benson  
1 15 May 24, 1944 Winter Garden Mexican Hayride Featured: Bobby Clark, June Havoc Tipped in:
  • Program notes from Decca cast recording;
  • Clipping of review.
  • Clipped magazine article (moved to oversize file, Box 5. )
1 16 May 25, 1944 Plymouth Theatre Chicken Every Sunday Featured: Mary Philips, Sidney Blackmer  
1 17 Nov. 1944 Forty-Sixth St. Theatre One Touch of Venus Featured: Mary Martin.
Music by Kurt Weill; lyrics by Ogden Nash
Tipped in: program notes from Decca cast recording;

Souvenir post card.

1 18 Jan. 29, 1946 Hudson Theatre State of the Union Featured: Ralph Bellamy, Ruth
Hussey.
By: Lindsay & Crouse
Two copies
1 19 Jan. 28, 1946 Booth Theatre The Would-be Gentleman Featured: Bobby Clark Two copies
1 20 Jan 30, 1946
(matinee)
Ziegfeld Theatre Show Boat "New Production";
Kern and Hammerstein
 
2 1 Jan. 27, 1947 Shubert Theatre Sweethearts By: Victor Herbert.
Featured: Bobby Clark
Two copies
Clipped review (removed to oversize file, Box 5)
2 2 Jan. 29, 1947 Broadhurst
Theatre
Happy Birthday By: Anita Loos.
Featured: Helen Hayes
Two copies; ticket stubs attached
2 3 Jan. 1947 Imperial Theatre Annie Get Your Gun Featured: Ray Middleton, Ethel Merman  
2 4 Jan. 27, 1948 Ziegfeld Theatre Brigadoon   Ticket stubs
attached
Tipped in: news clippings
2 5 Jan. 27, 1948 Lyceum Theatre Born Yesterday Featured: Judy Holliday Tipped In:
  • Two Clippings: contemporary magazine clipping with photos of Holliday; 1965 newspaper clipping concerning Holliday's death
2 6 Jan. 28, 1948 Sam S. Shubert Theatre High Button Shoes Featured: Phil Silvers, Nanette Fabray.
Song title: "Papa, Won't You Dance with Me"
Ticket stubs attached
2 7 Jan. 25, 1949 St. James Theatre Where's Charley Featured: Ray Bolger.
Songs: "Once in Love with Amy"
Two copies; ticket stubs attached
Tipped in: Postcard from Hotel Statler
2 8 Jan.1949 Alvin Theatre Mister Roberts Featured: Henry Fonda Two copies
Tipped in
  • 1950 news clipping concerning suicide of Frances (Mrs. Henry) Fonda.
  • Life Magazine clipping concerning the play
2 9 Jan. 23, 1950 Mark Hellinger Theatre Texas Li'l Darlin'   Two copies
2 10 Jan. 25, 1950 New Century Theatre Kiss Me Kate Featured: Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison. Music/lyrics Cole Porter Two copies; ticket stubs attached
2 11 Jan. 29, 1951 Imperial Theatre Call Me Madam Featured: Ethel Merman.
Book: Lindsay and Crouse.
Music and lyrics: Irving Berlin.
Dances: Jerome Robbins
Two copies; ticket stubs attached
Tipped in: news clipping concerning death of Ethel Merman and magazine clipping concerning Call Me Madam
2 12 Jan. 30, 1951 Lou Waters' Latin Quarter Theatre-Restaurant Vive Les Femmes   Two copies; ticket stubs attached
2 13 Jan. 31, 1951 Majestic Theatre South Pacific Featured: Mary Martin, Ray Middleton. Music, Lyrics by Rogers & Hammerstein Ticket stubs attached.
Tipped in:
  • 2 contemporary clippings
  • 1 clipping dated 1972 re: Mary Martin in retirement
2 14 Jan. 30, 1952 St. James Theatre The King and I Constance Carpenter played Gertrude Lawrence role Ticket stubs attached;
Notices attached re: substitutions for performance.
Tipped in: News clipping re: Carpenter
2 15 Jan. 28, 1952 Forty-Sixth Street Theatre Guys & Dolls Featured: Robert Alda and Vivian Blaine;
Damon Runyon stories
Two copies; ticket stubs attached.
Tipped in: contemporary news and magazine clippings.
2 16 Jan. 29, 1952 Sam S. Shubert Theatre Paint Your Wagon Featured: James Barton.
By Lerner and Lowe. Choreography by Agnes DeMille
Ticket stubs attached
2 17 Jan. 25, 1954 Coronet Theatre The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker Featured: Burgess Meredith, Martha Scott and Una Merkel Two copies
2 18 Jan. 24, 1955 St. James Theatre The Pajama Game Featured: John Raitt, Janis Paige, Eddie Foy, Jr. Two copies; ticket stubs attached;
Tipped in: Flyer for play "The Flowering Peach" by Clifford Odets
2 19 Jan. 25, 1955 Music Box The Solid Gold Cadillac   Two copies; ticket stubs attached
2 20 Jan. 23, 1956 Mark Hellinger Theatre Plain and Fancy Amish around Bird-in-Hand Two copies; ticket stubs attached.
Tipped in: review clipped from magazine.
3 1 Jan. 24, 1956 Martin Beck Theatre Teahouse of the August Moon   Ticket stubs attached
3 2 Jan. 28, 1957 Imperial Theatre The Most Happy Fella "Standing on the Corner" Two copies; ticket stubs attached
Tipped in: notices regarding substitution for performance
3 3 Jan. 29, 1957 Alvin Theatre No Time for Sergeants Featured: Arte Johnson Two copies: ticket stubs attached.
Tipped in: clipped article and magazine pages
3 4 Jan. 27, 1958 Broadhurst Theatre Auntie Mame Featured: Greer Garson Tipped in:
  • Magazine clipping
  • Hotel receipt
3 5 Jan. 27, 1958 Sam. Shubert Theatre Bells Are Ringing Featured: Judy Holliday.
By: Comden and Green; Jerome Robbins
Two copies
3 6 Jan. 26, 1959 Majestic Theatre The Music Man Featured: Robert Preston.
By: Meredith Wilson
Ticket stubs attached
3 7 Jan. 27, 1959 Cort Theatre Sunrise at Campobello Featured: Ralph Bellamy.
By: Dore Schary
Two copies; ticket stubs attached
3 8 Jan. 26, 1960 Mark Hellinger Theatre My Fair Lady Featured: Edward Mulhare and Pamela Charles Ticket stubs attached; Radio City Music Hall program
3 9 Jan. 23, 1961 Broadhurst Theatre Fiorello Featured: Tom Bosley Two copies; ticket stubs attached
3 10 Jan. 20, 1962 Winter Garden The Unsinkable Molly Brown Featured: Tammy Grimes Ticket stubs attached
3 11 Jan. 19, 1963 Alvin Theatre A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Featured: Zero Mostel.
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Ticket stubs attached
3 12 Jan. 16, 1964 Radio City Music Hall Charade (motion picture) Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn  
3 13 Jan. 18, 1964 Center Theatre Howdy Mr. Ice Presented (i.e. produced) by Sonja Henie and Arthur M. Wirtz Two copies; ticket stubs attached
3 14 Jan. 1965 Alvin Theatre High Spirits Featured: Beatrice Lillie, Tammy Grimes. Based on "Blithe Spirit" Clippings about Beatrice Lillie tipped in
3 15 Jan. 1965 The Playhouse Never Too Late Featured: Dennis O'Keefe, Martha Scott Tipped in: clipping about performance
3 16 Jan. 1966 Mark Hellinger Theatre On a Clear Day You Can See Forever Featured: Barbara Harris, John Cullum. Book/Lyrics, Alan J. Lerner Tipped in: clipping re: First Lady attending play
3 17 Jan. 1966 St. James Theatre Hello Dolly Featured: Ginger Rogers.
Based on play by Thornton Wilder
Two copies
3 18 Jan. 20, 1967 46th St. Theatre I Do! I Do! Featured: Mary Martin, Robert Preston. Based on "The Fourposter" Ticket stubs attached
3 19 Jan. 19, 1968 Imperial Theatre Cabaret Featured: Jill Haworth, Lotte Lenya Ticket stubs
4 1 Jan. 18, 1964 Madison Square Garden Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies    
4 2 Jan. 20, 1968 Madison Square Garden Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies   Ticket stubs attached
4 3 Nov. 29, 1970 Syracuse War Memorial Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies   Tipped in: added page promoting guest artist, Peggy Fleming.
Ticket stubs
4 4 Jan. 29,1951 Madison Square Garden Hockey magazine and program   Tipped in: program clippings
4 5 1952 Madison Square Garden Hockey magazine and program   Lacks cover
4 6 Nov. 12, 1953 Philadelphia Forum John Brown's Body   Includes program; show ad flier and souvenir book.
Ticket stubs attached
4 7   Radio City Music Hall Souvenir program: Opening of Radio City Music Hall    
4 8 Jan. 28, 1952 Hotel Statler, New York, New York Guidebook Note on cover: "Dinner, Jan. 28, 1952"  
4 9 Aug. 20, 1955 Vernon Downs Race program   Notes in margins indicating bets placed; results; winnings/losses
4 10 July 31, 1968 Vernon Downs Race program   Notes on cover indicating bets placed; winnings/losses
4 11 Sept. 23, 1969 Vernon Downs Race program   Notes on cover indicating bets placed; winnings/losses
4 12 Oct. 1, 1970 Vernon Downs Race program    
4 13 Aug. 20, 1974 Vernon Downs Race program   Notes on cover indicating bets placed; winnings/losses
4 14 Jan. 26, 1948   New York Host Vol. 30, No. 4, January 24, 1948   Title on Cover: "Pennsylvania Host"
Guide to entertainment in New York City. 
4 15 [Jan. 1952?]   Postcard for Paint Your Wagon   Program filed in Box 2, Folder 16
4 16 April 4-5 1949 Comerford's Theatre, Binghamton, New York Oklahoma   Clippings filed in Box 5
5 1 Nov. 10, 1944   Menu from Hackney's restaurant, Atlantic City, New Jersey    
5 2 Undated
[1944?]
  Clippings re: Mexican Hayride   Program in Box 1, Folder 15
5 3 Undated
[1947?]
  Clippings re: Sweethearts starring Bobby Clark   Program in Box 2, Folder 1
5 4 Undated [1948?]   Clipping re: High Button Shoes   Program in Box 2, Folder 6
5 5 Undated
[ca. 1958?]
  Clipping re: Auntie Mame   Program in Box 3, Folder 4
5 6 Undated [1958?]   Clipping re: Bells are Ringing   Program in Box 3 Folder 8
5 7 Undated
[1947?]
  Clipping re: Life With Father   Program in Box 1, Folder 12
5 8 Feb. 1942   Clipped preview of Broadway season    
5 9 Undated
[1947?]
  Clipping re: Happy Birthday   Program in Box 2, Folder 2
5 10 Undated
[1948]
  Clipping re: movie version of State of the Union   Play program in Box 1, Folder 18
5 11 1949   Clippings re: Oklahoma   Program in Box 5, Folder 16
5 12 Undated
[1944?]
  Clipping re: Harvey    
5 13 Undated [1950?]   Clipping re: Kiss Me Kate   Program in Box 2, Folder 10
5 14 Undated
[1952?]
  Clippings re: The King and I   Program in Box 2, Folder 14
5 15 Undated [1944?]   Clippings re: One Touch of Venus, and star Mary Martin   Program in box 1, Folder 17
5 16 Undated   Clipping re: memorable songs from Broadway musical theatre    
5 17 Undated [1948?]   Clipping re: Born Yesterday   Program in Box 2, Folder 5
5 18 Undated [1948?]   Clippings re: Brigadoon   Program in Box 2, Folder 4
5 19 Undated [1949?]   Clippings re: Where's Charley, and star Ray Bolger   Program in Box 2, Folder 7
5 20 Undated
[1949?]
  Clipping re: Mister Roberts   Program in Box 2, Folder 8
5 21 Undated
[1951?]
  Clipping re: Call Me Madam   Program in Box 2, Folder 11
5 22 Undated [1947?]   Clippings re: Annie Oakley, and stage production of Annie Get Your Gun   Program in Box 2, Folder 3
5 23 Undated
[1967?]
  Clippings re: I Do! I Do! and Cabaret    Programs in Box 3 Folders 18 and 19
5 24 Undated
[1946?]
  Clippings re: Show Boat    
5 25 Undated   Clipping re: Broadway director Josh Logan    
5 26 Undated
[1946]
  Clipping re: Li'l Abner    
5 27 Undated
[1959]
  Clippings re: The Sound of Music    
5 28 Feb. 14, 1960   Clippings re: Fiorello   Program in Box 4, Folder 9
5 29 1947-1949   Clippings re:
Life with Father and sequel Life with Mother
  Program in Box 1, Folder 12
5 30 Nov. 13, 1977   Clipping re: actor Edward Mulhare and My Fair Lady   Program in Box 2, Folder 8
5 31 May 29, 1949   Clipping re: actors and actresses leaving major Broadway shows    
5 32 Jan. 19, 1947   Clipping re: Sweethearts    
5 33 April 18, 1949   Clipping re: South Pacific   Program in Box 2, Folder 13
5 34 Undated [1959?]   Clipping re: Sunrise at Campobello   Program in Box 3 Folder 7
5 35 Undated
[1948]
  Clipping re: Inside U.S.A., a revue starring Beatrice Lillie    
5 36 Undated   Miscellaneous clippings unrelated to theater    
5 37 Undated   Record album liner and notes for Oklahoma    
Last Updated: March 9, 2022