Love is a Four Letter Word: Two Plays on a Single Theme [Dead Letters / The Campers]

N.p. N.p., Circa 1971. Original script for two plays by Academy Award winning screenwriter Howard Koch. Copy belonging to an unknown actor who played the character of Norm in "Dead Letters," with his lines highlighted and manuscript annotations regarding dialogue and action throughout.

In a preliminary note, Koch describes "Dead Letters" and "The Campers" as "two plays, each approximately an hour in length and adding up to a full evening in the theatre. Since they are linked to the same theme—the consequence of practicing love in its humanistic sense, they are, I believe, appropriate companion pieces. I have placed 'Dead Letters' first since it treats the negative aspect of the theme (love as a threat that must be done away with), while 'The Campers' suggests the positive possibility that love multiplied in a new generation may prove to be a catalyst in achieving a change of values underlying the human condition. Since the plays are intended to be representative of a larger frame of reference rather than realistic in a literal sense, the unclosed-in sets should reflect this intention. Depending on the casting, it may be feasible for some of the parts to be played by the same actors in both plays.” 

NYPL reports a promptbook of 58 leaves for "Dead Letters" only, with a note regarding its production at Library & Museum of the Performing Arts, NYC, May 3, 1971 (from which this item is dated).

Green titled wrappers, with credits for Howard Koch. Title page present, with credits for Koch. 110 leaves, with last page of text numbered 41. Mechanical duplication. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good bound with two gold brads.

[Book #141753]