Showbill for "The Michigan": Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

An off-white paper showbill printed by Playbill Magazine for “The Michigan”.

On the front of the showbill at the top in large black type is “SHOWBILL / ST. MARKS PLAYHOUSE”, printed inside of a blue block. Below it in white type on a large black block is: [THE NEGRO ENSEMBLE COMPANY] with the signature round Ensemble logo.

On the inside of the showbill, a left page features a black-and-white Manufactures Hanover ad. The ad depicts two small-scale ballet dancers mid-performance, photographed as if inside of an apple. The right page announces the play “The Michigan”. From top to bottom it reads: [THE ST. MARKS PLAYHOUSE / 133 SECOND AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y. / 674-3530 / THE NEGRO / ENSEMBLE / COMPANY / presents / THE MICHIGAN / by / DAN OWENS / Directed by / DEAN IRBY / Scenery by / WYNN THOMAS / Costumes by ALVIN B. PERRY / Lightning by / WILLIAM H. GRANT III / Premier Performance – November 16, 1979 / WARNING / The photographing or sound recording of any performance or the possession of any device for such / photographing or sound recording inside this theatre, without the written permission of the manage- / ment, is prohibited by law. / Violations may be punished by ejection and may render the offender liable / for money damages.]. An ad for Oubonnet Wine is printed below the play’s information.

The back of the showbill features an edge to edge photographic ad for Grand Marnier Liqueur. The photograph captures an area of lush rainforest with red blooms, a waterfall, and creek.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1979
• Published by: Playbill, American, founded 1884
• Subject of: Negro Ensemble Company, American, founded 1967
• Subject of: Dan Owens, American
• Directed by: Dean Irby, American
• Type: playbills
• Medium: ink on paper with metal
• Dimensions: H x W x D: 9 × 5 9/16 × 1/8 in. (22.9 × 14.1 × 0.3 cm)
• Place used: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Actors
• Topic: Advertising
• Topic: Drama (Theatre)
• Topic: Entertainers
• Topic: Theatre
• Topic: Theatre companies
• Object number: 2014.196.19.1
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Sandra Austin
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: © Playbill Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.