Mata Hari [Ballad for a Firing Squad]

New York: Robert Cherin Productions, 1968. Revised script for the off-Broadway 1968 staging of the 1967 musical, seen here under the alternate title "Ballad for a Firing Squad." Copy belonging to playwright Jerome Coopersmith, with his name in manuscript ink on the title page and his annotations in manuscript pencil throughout.

Loosely based on the life of undercover German spy and exotic dancer Mata Hari, about a French intelligence officer's quest to expose Hari's treachery, falling in love with her in the process.

The play was originally staged in 1967, receiving a pre-Broadway tryout at the National Theatre in Washington DC, but the Broadway production was canceled after the show was met with negative reviews. It was then staged off-Broadway in 1968, at the Theatre de Lys (then known as the Lucille Lortel Theater) under the new title "Ballad for a Firing Squad," only running for 15 performances. In 1996, the show was revived at the York Theatre, under the original title, but unfortunately met with a similar fate to its predecessors.

Black Studio Duplicating Service titled wrappers. Title page present, dated August, 1968, noted as Revised, with credits for Coopersmith and playwrights Martin Charnin and Edward Thomas. 91 leaves, with last page of text numbered 2-7-29. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good plus, bound with two gold brads.

[Book #169971]