Lenny

N.p. N.p., Circa 1971. Vintage script for the 1971 Broadway play. Working copy belonging to actor Ted Schwartz, who served as the replacement for the roles of Ernie and the interviewer, and as the understudy for the lead role of Lenny Bruce.

Script annotated on every page in at least two hands, indicating shared use by multiple performers—a common practice in theatrical circles.

In 1969, Julian Barry was hired by Columbia Pictures to write an original screenplay about the life of Lenny Bruce. The prospects for the project were dulled significantly by the commercial success of "Love Story," which had created a temporary demand for romantic films, which "Lenny" certainly was not.

Barry suggested to theatre director Tom O’Horgan, fresh off his success with the musical "Hair," that his screenplay be redone as a play. The play, starring Cliff Gorman, premiered at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York City, on May 10, 1971, running for 469 performances, and earning a Best Actor Tony Award for Gorman.

Barry would go on to readapt the play for the 1974 film, directed by Mike Nichols and starring Dustin Hoffman, receiving an Academy Award nomination in the process.

Maroon titled Studio Duplicating Service wrappers. Title page present, undated, with credit for Barry, noted as copy No. 96 in manuscript ink. 71 leaves, with last page of text numbered 2-30. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Very Good plus, wrapper Very Good, with old cello tape along the spine, bound with two gold brads.

[Book #167124]