| Dates: | 1959-1971 (Bulk dates, 1964-1968) |
| Size: | 3 linear feet in 4 boxes (including 45 photographs) |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | spe-t00011 |
| Immediate source of acquisition: | Donated by Bruce Sagan in 1999 |
| Conditions governing use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. |
| Conditions governing access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Physical location note: | Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least 24-hours prior to your research visit to coordinate access. |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Harper Theater Records, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library |
| Finding aid author: | Sarah Zimmerman, August 2014. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Sarah Zimmerman, 2021. |
Abstract
Hyde Park Herald publisher, Bruce Sagan renovated and reopened the Harper Theater as a playhouse and a dance and music venue in 1964. The Harper Theater Records include administrative records, correspondence, clippings and promotional materials highlighting theater and music performances during the 1960s.
Biographical/Historical
The Harper Theater located at 5238 S. Harper Avenue on Chicago’s south side in Hyde Park was designed by Horatio Wilson. The prairie style building opened as a vaudeville house in the 1910s and has served as a movie theater and playhouse, as well as a music and dance venue. In 2002, the University of Chicago purchased the theater which had stood vacant for more than a decade. In 2011 the university signed an agreement with ADF Capital operate the theater. As of 2021, the Harper Theater operates once again as a movie house. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Historic District.
In 1961, Bruce Sagan, publisher of the Hyde Park Herald, purchased the theater wanting to make an “off-Broadway” style experience for Chicago. Over the next three years, Sagan and wife Judith renovated the space, closing off the balcony to create an intimate 300 seat theater, and adding a coffee shop. Sagan described the theater as “a monument to urban renewal.” On November 5, 1964, the theater opened with the Chicago premiere of Luigi Pirandello’s Enrico IV. It brought a new live professional theater to the city. During the Sagans’ tenure, the Harper stage also hosted the annual Harper Theater Dance Festival, in addition to musical events including jazz and chamber music.
Scope and Contents
The Harper Theater Records include administrative files, correspondence, reviews, clippings, programs, posters and photographs highlighting dramatic and musical performances at Harper Theater during the 1960s. Productions referenced include Pirandello’s Enrico IV, Norman Mailer’s drama Deer Park, performed by the Second City Repertory, and a three play series presented by Eagles Mere Associates under the direction of Alvina Krause.
Arrangement
Folder headings originate from the theater’s file; folders are arranged alphabetically. Subjects may be dispersed throughout the entire collection.
Related Materials
- Second City Collection
- Bruce Sagan donated materials relating to the Harper Theater Dance Festival to the Newberry Library in 1999. They are part of the Judith and Bruce Sagan Papers, 1965-1986.
Subject Headings
- Brown, Oscar, Jr. (1926-2005)
- Eaton, John (1935-2015)
- Harper Theater
- Krause, Alvina (1893-1981)
- Second City Repertory
- Schlamme, Martha (1923-1985)
Collection Inventory
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Actors’ Equity Association, 1959-1966 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Benefits, 1966 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Brown, Oscar, Jr., 1966-1967 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Cambridge Circus, 1966 April 19-May 8 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Chamber Concert Series, 1966-1967 |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | Chamber Concert Series. Photographs, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | A Chekhov Sketchbook, 1965 January 19-February 14 |
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | A Chekhov Sketchbook. Poster, 1965 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Coffee House, 1965-1966 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Cole, Toby, 1964-1965 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Critics, 1966-1967 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Eagles Mere, 1965, 1966 January 11-February 27 |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | Eagles Mere. Photographs, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Eaton, John, 1967-1969 |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | Eaton, John. Photographs, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Enrico IV, 1964-1965 |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | Enrico IV. Poster, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Enrico IV. Script, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | The Establishment, [1962 September] |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Folk Concerts. Juan Brava, 1966 November |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Goodman Theatre, 1967 June 21 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Group Inquiries, 1965-1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Half Horse-Half Alligator, 1966 May 10-15 |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Happy Ending and Day of Absence, 1965-1967 |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 | Happy Ending and Day of Absence. Photographs, 1967, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | HEDA [Happy Ending and Day of Absence]. Clippings, 1966 December 2 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Happy Ending and Day of Absence. Correspondence, 1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | HEDA [Happy Ending and Day of Absence]. Press release #1 [1966] |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | HEDA [Happy Ending and Day of Absence]. Press release #2 and #3, [1966-1967] |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | HEDA [Happy Ending and Day of Absence]. Program copy [1966] |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | Harper advertising, 1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | Harper art work, [1964] |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | Harper Licenses, 1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | Harper Theater 11. Correspondence, 1962-1969 |
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | Harper Theater 12, 1969, 1971 |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | Harper Theater polices, 1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 18 | Hospitals, 1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 19 | Interviews, 1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 20 | Inventory Harper, 1965-1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 21 | IV-M Productions, 1966-1967 |
| Box 2 | Folder 22 | The Knack, 1965 |
| Box 2 | Folder 23 | The Last Stage, 1968-1970 |
| Box 2 | Folder 24 | Lighting, 1966-1967 |
| Box 2 | Folder 25 | National Shakespeare Company, 1966-1967 |
| Box 2 | Folder 26 | Othello, 1965 |
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Schlamme, Martha, 1963, 1965, 1966 October 4-16 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Schlamme, Martha, 1966 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Schlamme, Martha. Attendance report, [1966] |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | Schlamme, [Martha]. Program copy, 1966 |
| Box 3 | Folder 18 | Schlamme, Martha. Photographs, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | Second City 1, 1966-1968 |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | Second City 2, 1967-1968 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | Talent, 1966 |
| Box 3 | Folder 19 | Talent. Photograph, 1966 |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | Theater reports, Cole Ewell, 1964 December |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | Ticket Central, 1966 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | University representatives, etc., 1966 |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | Ushers, 1966 December 27 |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | Younger, Beverly, 1966-1967 |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | [Clippings from New York newspapers, Harper Theater stationery], 1964-1969 |
| Box 3 | Folder 20 | [Unidentified reception]. Photographs, undated |
