The Sheldon Harnick papers, spanning the years 1937 to 1968, consist of correspondence, scripts, dialogue manuscripts, script and production outlines, casting material, and music and lyric manuscripts. The material is arranged chronologically by production date; and within the production, by production sequence.
For the Man in the Moon (1963), there are script revisions A through D of Act I, and music and lyric manuscripts.
The correspondence for She Loves Me (1963) includes opening night and commendatory letters as well as a file of business letters concerning contracts, script revisions, and stock and amateur rights. The scripts include Parfumerie by Miklos Laszlo, from which She Loves Me was adapted, in addition to script outlines and revised scripts. Box 2 of this collection contains an extensive amount of dialogue and music and lyric manuscripts for songs used in or rejected for the show.
To Broadway With Love (1964) includes a complete production outline that coordinates lighting, dialogue, and music, as well as correspondence and music and lyric manuscripts.
The bulk of the Harnick papers consists of material for Fiddler on the Roof (1964). A file of business papers relates to revisions, financial arrangements, and movie rights. The music and lyric manuscripts for songs used in or rejected for the show are supplemented by a script outline, an early script draft, extensive casting lists, and material concerning Tevye's three monologues.
The material on Baker Street (1965) is composed of opening night correspondence and music and lyric manuscripts.
Harnick's arrangement of the material on The Apple Tree (1966) has been retained. Harnick arranged the material sequentially by production order; the material includes scripts, used and rejected dialogue, and music and lyric manuscripts. There are also similar types of material concerning two plays rejected for the production.
For further information on Fiddler on the Roof, see the Joseph Stein Papers (33AN); and for She Loves Me, To Broadway With Love, and Baker Street, see Jean Rosenthal (40AN).
The papers conclude with the music and lyric manuscripts for Her First Roman (1968).
