This is a beautiful July 19th, 1954 playbill from the Original Broadway production of the ROBERT ANDERSON play "TEA AND SYMPATHY" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City. (The production opened September 30th, 1953 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, transferred to the Longacre Theatre on February 9th, 1955 and finally moved to the 48th Street Theatre on April 11th, 1955, running for a combined 712 performances.) ..... The play is about a male private school student, Tom Lee, who faces accusations of homosexuality. A woman, Laura, who is married to one of the school's instructors, opposes the students' shaming of Lee and romantically pursues him. Everett Evans of the Houston Chronicle wrote that the play was "one of the first plays to tackle the then-taboo subject of sexual orientation and related prejudice." Evans stated that the play's final line, "Years from now, when you speak of this, and you will, be kind," is one of the most quoted curtain lines in stage history. (Wikipedia) ..... The play starred JOAN FONTAINE as "Laura" and featured ANTHONY PERKINS (making his Broadway debut) as "Tom Lee". Others in the cast included LEIF ERICKSON, FLORIDA FRIEBUS, ALEXANDER LOCKWOOD, ALAN SUES, YALE WEXLER, ARTHUR STEUER, RICHARD FRANCHOT, RICHARD MIDGLEY and DANA WHITE ..... CREDITS: Book by ROBERT ANDERSON; Sets designed by JO MIELZINER; Costumes designed by ANNA HILL JOHNSTONE; Directed by ELIA KAZAN; Produced by THE PLAYWRIGHTS' COMPANY (Maxwell Anderson, Robert Anderson, Elmer Rice, Robert E. Sherwood, Roger L. Stevens and John F. Wharton) in association with MARY K. FRANK ..... DETAILS: The 24 page playbill measures 6 1/2" X 9" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes and individual bios of each of the leading actors and the playwright, but no cast photos ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this playbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.