The American Theatre as Seen by Hirschfeld: 1928–1961

In the first of this impressive two-volume set, Al Hirschfeld Foundation creative director and editor Leopold has chronologically assembled the canon of the award-winning caricaturist of the Broadway theater Al Hirschfeld (1903–2003). This work (originally published in 1961) covers more than 30 years, with most of the drawings introduced by Hirschfeld himself. Each drawing has a caption identifying the subject, date, and, in some cases, the production source material for the illustration. Not all the art is from Hirschfeld’s 75-year career with the New York Times. The book also includes beautiful art he created for the Works Project Administration and International Ladies Garment Workers productions in the 1930s, plus his creations for famous performances by Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, Fanny Brice, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and others. After the birth of his daughter Nina in 1945, Hirschfeld introduced her name surreptitiously into many of his drawings, which became a signature of his work for decades. In addition to the Broadway productions, including his instantly recognizable art for My Fair Lady, there are posters and advertisements for other landmark performing arts events.