This is a rare September 2nd, 1928 program (playbill) from the Bainbridge Players' production of the PHILIP DUNNING and GEORGE ABBOTT play "BROADWAY" at the Shubert Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (The Original Broadway production opened September 22nd, 1913 at New York's Astor Theatre and ran for 320 performances.) ..... The ensemble cast included EDITH TALIAFERRO, VICTOR JORY (fifteen years before he would make his Broadway debut), LEW PEARCE, HOUSE BAKER JAMESON, DORRIT KELTON, GRACE HOEY, MARCELLA GAUDEL, DOROTHY RICH, MARVEL BEVANS, GENEVIEVE KRAMER, GEORGE E. JOHNSON, GEORGIANA PEASE, PAUL EMSHWILLER, JOHN TODD, ARTHUR BEHRENS, JACK MARVIN, WILLIAM SNELL, JAMES BARRETT and EVERETT PARKER ..... Biography: After completing his studies at Harvard University, GEORGE ABBOTT (1887-1995) made his first appearance as an actor on Broadway in "The Misleading Lady" in 1913. While acting in several plays in New York City, he began to write, with his first successful play being 1925's "The Fall Guy". He moved on to work in Hollywood as a writer and director, while continuing with his theatre work. During his amazing career, he was associated with 119 Broadway productions as a performer, author, director or producer. His most notable directorial efforts were "Jumbo", "On Your Toes", "The Boys from Syracuse", "Pal Joey" (all Rodgers and Hart shows), "On the Town" (with Comden and Green, Leonard Bernstein), "High Button Shoes", "Where's Charley?", "Call Me Madam", "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", "Wonderful Town", "The Pajama Game" (in which Bob Fosse got his break as a choreographer), "Damn Yankees", "Fiorello!", "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (Stephen Sondheim's first musical as both composer and lyricist), "Flora the Red Menace" (Kander and Ebb's first musical together, and Liza Minnelli's Broadway debut at age 19). In addition to his other activities, Abbott acquired a reputation as an astute (and ruthless) show doctor: when a show was having difficulties in tryouts or previews, he would be called in to supervise changes. In 1965 the 54th St. Theatre (previously the Adelphi Theatre) was named the George Abbott Theatre in his honor. The theatre was demolished in 1970. Abbott died of a stroke in Miami Beach, Florida at the age of 107. He remains one of the most admired men in the history of Broadway ..... CREDITS: Book by PHILIP DUNNING and GEORGE ABBOTT; Dances staged by LEW PEARCE; Directed by ARTHUR BEHRENS; Produced by the BAINBRIDGE PLAYERS ..... DETAILS: The twelve page program measures 6" X 8 3/4" inches and includes production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, musical program, brief bios of the leading actors and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast photos ..... CONDITION: (Please Note!) There is slight edge discoloration, a fold across the middle and moderate edge wear. Despite these flaws, this rare program 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.