MARK ZELLER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/09/1983 - HFSID 301351

MARK ZELLER
Handwritten letter to John Willis, editor of Theatre World, written by Zeller as Producing Director of the 78th Street Theatre Lab
Autograph Letter signed: "Mark Zeller", 1 page, 5½x8½. New York City, 1983 October 9. On letterhead of the 78th Street Theatre Lab to John Willis, in full: "Thank you for your interest. Enclosed is the photo you requested. [Item not included.] Cordially'". Mark Zeller appeared in four Broadway musicals between 1959 (Saratoga) and 1991 (Fiddler on the Roof). He played Lazar Wolf, and the standby Tevye in Fiddler. The 78th Street Theatre Lab, since renamed the Drilling Company Theatre, features innovative plays by lesser known artists. Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. 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. Fine condition.