KAROLY BARTA - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED 07/02/1974 - HFSID 315130

KAROLY BARTA
The dancer writes to John Willis, Editor of Theatre World, asking if he ever takes a break
Autograph note signed: "Karoly Barta", 6x4. July 21, 1974. In full: "Dear Mr. Willis, Will you take a break from your work? Greetings". Dancer Karoly Barta (b. 1937) grew up the son of a department store owner in Budapest, beginning his dance lessons at age 11. When the Hungarian Revolt of 1956 broke out, Barta, 19 at the time and like many Hungarian youths, fought in the revolution. To bring relief to fallen victims, Barta and his friends of the Budapest Arts Club collected food and supplies, driving to dangerous towns outside of Budapest, at times being captured and interrogated by Russian officials. Barta, who was eventually able to escape to Austria and immigrate to America, became a U.S. national ballet star first premiering in Milwaukee where he was a principal dancer in Broadway's Brigadoon (1960). In 1970, he became the head of the Birmingham Civic Ballet, and later he was named the Ballet Master of the Dance for Washington, Inc. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Lightly soiled. Ink stamps. Corners lightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition.