Scope and Content Note
The Ethel Merman Collection spans the years 1908 to 1998, the bulk of which dates from 1950 to 1970. The Production Files series consists of scripts, photographs, lyric sheets, notes, and business papers relating to the various Broadway, film, and television productions in which Merman starred. Much of this material is annotated by Merman and records changes to the shows during their rehearsal periods. Most notable among these items are the annotated lyric sheets from the original production of Annie Get Your Gun. A small quantity of music material for several productions in which Merman starred is found in the Music series. These include piano-conductor scores for two songs added to Hello, Dolly! during Merman’s tenure in the titular role.
The Correspondence series includes items received by Merman from both personal and professional connections. Correspondents include lyricist Sammy Cahn, director Joshua Logan, composers Stephen Sondheim, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter, choreographer Gower Champion, and other personalities such as Thornton Wilder, Mary Martin, Barbara Streisand, Katherine Hepburn, Margaret Whiting, and Wallis Warfield, Duchess of Windsor. Merman received a large number of these items after the sudden death of her daughter in 1967.
Various highlights of Merman’s career are captured in the Programs, Clippings, and Photographs series. Notably, the programs include the original playbill from Gypsy and several others from 1915-1919 that list performances by Ethel Zimmerman. Clippings include critical reviews of various premiers and performances and several articles discussing Merman’s career after her passing in 1984. Photographs of prominent individuals include Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Mary Martin, the Beatles, and Queen Elizabeth, consort of George VI, King of Great Britain. Also present is a portfolio from the Inaugural Gala of President John F. Kennedy.
Additional items of interest are found in the Miscellany series, including personal papers, such as Merman’s birth and baptismal certificate, as well as a compiled diary with information about Merman’s health and career. This diary contains detailed notes from the original productions of Annie Get Your Gun and Call Me Madam.