MARY WOOD LONG - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/21/1974 - HFSID 315787

MARY WOOD LONG
Woman writes letter to John Willis, editor of Theatre World, wondering if he is the friend she remembers from college
Typed letter signed: "Mary Long" in blue ink. 1 page, 8½x11. October 21, 1974. Rock Hill, South Carolina. In part: "Dear Mr. Willis: I have just received the flyer from Crown Publishers listing your current books, Theatre world, Dance World, Screen World. All of these sound fascinating, and I shall look forward to reading them. From the short biographical sketch included in the précis of Theatre World, I began to wonder if by any chance you are the Jack Willis I knew at Milligan College, Tennessee, a thousand years ago - actually, 1936-38? If you are, then this is Miss Prism speaking to Dr. Chausible in Dimple hart's production of The Importance of Being Earnest. La me, how young we all were!" No further information on this signer has been found. 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. Normal mailing folds. Slightly toned. Corners creased. Ink slightly smeared. Otherwise, fine condition.