Theatrical performance is ephemeral, existing in a particular time and space -- and then disappearing. So the photographers who capture images of live performances serve a crucial function in creating a visual archive. Their photographs can give scholars and fans an idea of how a particular scene might have appeared on stage, preserving the work of the actors, designers, and director, and indicating the style and tone of a production.
I'm thrilled that so many photographers generously granted permission for their work to be used in Murder Most Queer. This blog post is a special "hat tip" to these artists and their work. (I don't have the rights to publish these images in a blog post, but in many cases you can find the images at the links.)
Rope (1929) The key photographer of Broadway in the first part of the twentieth century was White Studios, and the Billy Rose Theatre Collection at the New York Public Library is a fantastic archive of their work. (page 44)
Vampire Lesbians of Sodom (1985) Sadly, I was unable to track down photographer Adam Newman, but Charles Busch graciously gave permission for the use of this photograph from his hit off-Broadway play.
The Secretaries (1994) Joan Marcus recently received a Tony Award in recognition of her work as one of the great photographers of contemporary theater. I'm also indebted to the Theatre Communications Group for sharing this image of the Five Lesbian Brothers in performance at New York Theatre Workshop. (page 96)
The Lisbon Traviata (1989) Photographer Gerry Goodstein captured the performances of Nathan Lane and Anthony Heald in Terrence McNally's play at Manhattan Theatre Club. Bonus points if you can spot Maria Callas in the photo. (page 108)
Porcelain (1993) The Dallas Theatre Center produced Chay Yew's play in 1993, directed by Richard Hamburger, and the company generously shared this haunting image of actor Steven Eng surrounded by hundreds of origami cranes. (page 125)
Zombie (2009) Dixie Sheridan has photographed hundreds of off- and off-off-Broadway productions, including Bill Connington's 2009 adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' novella. Sheridan's specialization in the avant-garde is especially valuable, preserving innovative performances outside of the commercial mainstream. (page 169)
Jerk (2010) French photographer Alain Monot captured the performance of Jonathan Capdevielle in this adaptation of Dennis Cooper's short story, seen at P.S. 122 in New York. (page 170)
In addition to production photographs, Murder Most Queer also includes the work of an artist who is in a category unto himself:
Deathtrap (1978) If you've seen any Broadway show posters over the past few decades, you've probably seen the work of design artist Fraver (a.k.a. Frank Verlizzo). He created posters for productions ranging from Sweeney Todd to The Lion King, and his poster for the original Broadway production of Ira Levin's thriller Deathtrap is a classic. (page 66)
I'm thrilled that so many photographers generously granted permission for their work to be used in Murder Most Queer. This blog post is a special "hat tip" to these artists and their work. (I don't have the rights to publish these images in a blog post, but in many cases you can find the images at the links.)
Rope (1929) The key photographer of Broadway in the first part of the twentieth century was White Studios, and the Billy Rose Theatre Collection at the New York Public Library is a fantastic archive of their work. (page 44)
Vampire Lesbians of Sodom (1985) Sadly, I was unable to track down photographer Adam Newman, but Charles Busch graciously gave permission for the use of this photograph from his hit off-Broadway play.
The Secretaries (1994) Joan Marcus recently received a Tony Award in recognition of her work as one of the great photographers of contemporary theater. I'm also indebted to the Theatre Communications Group for sharing this image of the Five Lesbian Brothers in performance at New York Theatre Workshop. (page 96)
The Lisbon Traviata (1989) Photographer Gerry Goodstein captured the performances of Nathan Lane and Anthony Heald in Terrence McNally's play at Manhattan Theatre Club. Bonus points if you can spot Maria Callas in the photo. (page 108)
Porcelain (1993) The Dallas Theatre Center produced Chay Yew's play in 1993, directed by Richard Hamburger, and the company generously shared this haunting image of actor Steven Eng surrounded by hundreds of origami cranes. (page 125)
Zombie (2009) Dixie Sheridan has photographed hundreds of off- and off-off-Broadway productions, including Bill Connington's 2009 adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' novella. Sheridan's specialization in the avant-garde is especially valuable, preserving innovative performances outside of the commercial mainstream. (page 169)
Jerk (2010) French photographer Alain Monot captured the performance of Jonathan Capdevielle in this adaptation of Dennis Cooper's short story, seen at P.S. 122 in New York. (page 170)
In addition to production photographs, Murder Most Queer also includes the work of an artist who is in a category unto himself:
Deathtrap (1978) If you've seen any Broadway show posters over the past few decades, you've probably seen the work of design artist Fraver (a.k.a. Frank Verlizzo). He created posters for productions ranging from Sweeney Todd to The Lion King, and his poster for the original Broadway production of Ira Levin's thriller Deathtrap is a classic. (page 66)
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