MARIAN SELDES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 315057

MARIAN SELDES
Renowned actress sends letter to John Willis, editor of Theatre World, to let him know she should be able to make it to that year's award party
Autograph letter signed: "Marian" in black ink. 1 page, 5¾x4¼. In full: "Dear John, I am almost positive that I can be with you this year. My class at Julliard should be over in time for me to run to the Gotham. Love". Marian Seldes (1928-2014) made her Broadway debut in 1948, and later notched 5 Tony nominations, winning as Best Featured Actress in A Delicate Balance (1967). She appeared in about a dozen films, from The Light in the Forest (1958) to Leatherheads (2008). Seldes was heard in 179 episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theater (1974-1982). Her TV guest spots have included a spot as Lucas McCain's deceased wife in a 1960 episode of The Rifleman, appearing to her son Mark as a vision during an illness. She played the eccentric aunt of Murphy Brown in a 1992 episode. Seldes made a series of recordings of famous works of literature for Folkways Records, and taught at the Juilliard School of Performing Arts, where her students included Robin Williams and William Hurt. Her second husband, until his death in 1999, was screenwriter Garson Kanin. 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. Toned. Corners rounded. Ink slightly smeared. Pencil notes in bottom margin in unknown hand. Otherwise, fine condition.