Morton DaCosta Papers, 1959

Biography/History

Morton DaCosta was born in Philadelphia, March 7, 1914. His surname was originally Tekoskey; he changed it to DaCosta shortly after World War II. He holds a B.S. degree in education from Temple University where he was also given an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters in February, 1959. For approximately thirty years he has been active in the theatre as a producer, author, actor and director.

He was co-producer (with Robert Fryer), author and director of Saratoga which opened at Winter Garden, Monday, December 7, 1959, and closed on February 13, 1960, after 80 performances. This musical comedy is based on the novel Saratoga Trunk by Edna Ferber, with music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and settings and costumes by Cecil Beaton.

Saratoga is in two acts and seventeen scenes. The action takes place in 1880 in New Orleans and Saratoga.