Perhaps things are moving backwards ….
1912-1913
33 plays and musicals authored by women, out of 170 shows (excluding Shakespeare and Gilbert & Sullivan and 4 other old classic revivals) That’s 19.4% of all Broadway productions
100 years later, in 2012-13? 8 out of 48 shows. 16.6%.
THE MERRY COUNTESS (adapted from Die Fledermaus) had a book by Gladys Unger. One of 25 Broadway shows she wrote.
THE GIRL FROM BRIGHTON had book and lyrics by Jean C Havez
THE GOVERNORS LADY was a hit for Alice Brady, produced by Belasco.
THE DAUGHTER OF HEAVEN co authored by Judith Gautier
LITTLE WOMEN written by Marian de Forest – a big hit. 4 revivals, the last in 1946.
THE ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1912 had some music by Blanche Merrill – one of 15 Broadway credits.
Victor Herbert’s THE LADY OF THE SLIPPER had a book by Anne Caldwell. One of 33 Broadway credits.
OUR WIVES co authored by Helen Kraft.
THE RED PETTICOAT, Book and Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young, based on her play. Music by Jerome Kern. One of 34 Broadway credits.
THE ROAD TO ARCADY by Edith Sessions Tupper
RACKETTY PACKETY HOUSE by Frances Hodgson Burnett
RUTHERFORD AND SON by Gita Sowerby
THE ARGYLE CASE by Harriet Ford. One of 16 Broadway plays.
YEARS OF DISCRETION co-authored by Fanny Hatton, produced and directed by David Belasco. First of 17 Broadway plays.
HIS WIFE BY HIS SIDE by Ethelyn Emery Keays
CHEER UP by Mary Roberts Rinehart – directed by Cecil B DeMille.
A GOOD LITTLE DEVIL a hit by Rosemonde Gerard
POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL by Eleanor Gates was a hit,
Lehar’s THE MAN WITH THREE WIVES, with an English book by Agnes Morgan, first of 26 Broadway credits. Ms Morgan directed 21 plays, including Capek’s RUR and James Joyce’s EXILES.
THE ISLE O’DREAMS with book by Rida Johnson Young.
THE JACK DAW by Lady Gregory
SPREADING THE NEWS by Lady Gregory
THE RISING OF THE MOON by Lady Gregory
DAMER’S GOLD by Lady Gregory
THE WORKHOUSE WARD by Lady Gregory
COATS by Lady Gregory
(the above in Rep by the Irish Players)
WIDOW BY PROXY by Catherine Chisolm Cushing – one of 12 Broadway credits.
MARYS MANOUEVRES by Alice E Ives
REVENGE by Rachel Crothers
(A double bill)
MARIE DRESSLERS ALL STAR GAMBOL Book and Direction by Marie Dressler
THE LADY FROM OKLAHOMA by Elizabeth Jordan
THE PASSING OF THE IDLE RICH by Margaret Townsend
ARE YOU A CROOK? Co-authored by Frances Whitehouse
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