The collection consists of detailed business records, scripts and correspondence for twelve Merrick productions staged between 1954 and 1960, as well as a file of scripts for plays offered for production.
The Merrick Papers are arranged as PRODUCTION FILES and SCRIPT FILES.
The PRODUCTION FILES are arranged alphabetically by title and include such hits as The Matchmaker, Fanny, and Gypsy, as well as unsuccessful productions such as The Good Soup and Maria Golovin. The documented works range from comedy and musicials to more serious drama. Unfortunately, some of Merrick's most important productions of the period such as La Plume de Ma Tante, A Taste of Honey, and Becket are not represented in the collection.
For each production, the documentation is arranged alphabetically by type. Variously included are box office statements, contracts and other legal material, detailed correspondence, clippings and reviews, and playbills. Scripts are not included for every production, although there is a working outline for Fanny prepared by Goodrich and Hackett, a typed and a mimeographed script of The Good Soup by Garson Kanin, and annotated actors' scripts for several productions. For some productions there are also photographs, posters (separated to the WCFTR Title and Poster files), and information on lighting and the physical production. Records on The Entertainer include a file of musical scores.
Bills and other detailed financial records, which comprised a major part of the collection as originally received in 1960, were weeded in 1991, as this information was found to be adequately summarized in the financial statements and in the weekly settlements submitted to Merrick by the theatres.
The SCRIPT FILES consist of typed or mimeographed drafts of plays apparently offered to Merrick for production. There is no documentation here about Merrick's evaluation of any of these scripts, although a few are for plays that he eventually produced such as Carnival, I Can Get It For You Wholesale, and Subways Are for Sleeping. Others are for plays that were apparently never produced. The fact, however, that many of the most important American playwrights of the 1950's and 1960's are represented makes the file of interest. Scripts are arranged alphabetically by playwright.
