Guide to the Don Brockett Papers, 1930-1998 CTC.2002.01
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Don Brockett Papers
Creator
Brockett, Don
Collection Number
CTC.2002.01
Extent
15 Linear Feet(36 boxes)
Date
1930-1998
Abstract
The Don Brockett Papers contain scrapbooks, photographs, contracts, correspondence, and other types of materials relating to the stage productions from the career of entertainer, television, and film personality Don Brockett of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Language
English
.
Author
William Daw.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Preferred Citation
Don Brockett Papers, 1930-1995, CTC.2002.01, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Don Brockett Papers, 1930-1995, CTC.2002.01, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh
Don Brockett Papers, 1930-1995, CTC.32, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by William Daw in 2003 and 2004.
Scope and Content Notes
Materials in the Brockett Papers date from his early years as an entertainer from the 1950s through 1995. This collection includes all types of materials, such as photographs, posters, scripts, scores, orchestrations, press clippings, programs, and other promotional materials. Also included are a sampling of Brockett's business contracts, copyrights, and correspondence with various friends, other entertainers, and booking agents.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Biography
Don Brockett was born in 1930 and lived in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, throughout his life. He produced, directed, wrote, composed, and usually performed in most of his own shows from the late 1950s until his sudden death in 1995. During his stage career, he also simultaneously managed several other entertainment acts such as Jack and Sally Jenkins and the popular Turtle Creek band, The Vogues. Mr. Brockett was nationally known due to his portrayal of Chef Brockett on the PBS children's education series Mr. Roger's Neighborhood for over thirty years.
What truly made Don Brockett unique were his stage productions performed in and around the city of Pittsburgh. Most of these productions also toured in neighboring states and several were performed throughout the country and Off-Broadway in New York City. A large number of his early shows were created for the duo of Brockett and Barbara Mazziotti, (later Russell), who performed musical revues to critical and commercial praise. In 1985 he premiered Forbidden Pittsburgh, which became a celebrated event that would run annually for the next decade. The show featured popular Broadway songs customized to poke fun at local topics, trends, and personalities. He once estimated that he had employed over one thousand Pittsburgh entertainers throughout his career, several of which went on to greater fame like Florence Lacy, Beth Austin, Lenora Nemetz, Rob Marshall, Pam Klinger, and Michael Keaton.
Later in Don Brockett's career, he began to acquire supporting roles in film. He appeared in thirty-five films, many of which were filmed in the Pittsburgh area. His first film was Flashdance (1983). He then went on to appear in other major motion pictures, such as Fletch Lives with Chevy Chase and Hoffa with Jack Nicholson and Danny Devito. He also had a small role in the Academy Award winner for Best Picture of 1991, The Silence of the Lambs.
Arrangement
Series I. Personal Materials
Series II. Legal and Financial Materials
Series III. Career Related Materials
Series IV. Brockett Productions
Series V. Orchestrations
Series VI. Photographs
Series VII. Oversized and Miscellaneous Materials
Acquisition Information
Gift of Leslie Brockett in April 2002.
Subjects
Personal Names
Brockett, Don
Geographic Names
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
Other Subjects
Burlesque (Theater) -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
Musical theater producers and directors -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
Actors and actresses -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
This series contains a small amount of various formal legal documents and materials.
Containers
box 2, folder 1
Containers
box 2, folder 2
Containers
box 2, folder 3
Containers
box 2, folder 4
Scope and Content Notes
Items in this series relate to Brockett's career in general and not to any one specific production. Contained within are histories, correspondence, television and film scripts, and newsclippings, some of which were arranged into various scrapbooks. Some of the scrapbooks have been preservation photocopied; these copies are housed in the same folder as the original materials.
Containers
box 3, folder 1
Containers
box 3, folder 2
Containers
box 3, folder 3-4
Containers
box 3, folder 5
Containers
box 3, folder 6
Containers
box 3, folder 7
Containers
box 3, folder 8
Containers
box 3, folder 9
Containers
box 4, folder 1
Containers
box 4, folder 2-5
Containers
box 4, folder 6-7
Containers
box 4, folder 8-16
Containers
box 4, folder 17
Containers
box 5, folder 1-10
Containers
box 5, folder 11
Containers
box 6, folder 1
Containers
box 6, folder 2
Containers
box 6, folder 3
Containers
box 6, folder 4
Containers
box 7, folder 1
Containers
box 7, folder 2
Containers
box 7, folder 3
Containers
box 7, folder 4
Containers
box 7, folder 5
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains materials that relate to specific productions of Brockett's. It is divided into three subseries: Scripts, Scores, and Skits / Other materials.
Scope and Content Notes
Boxes 8-14 are production scripts to many of Brockett's shows, which are arranged alphabetically by title. For some titles the folder not only contains the script, but also other items that pertain to the production, such as music orchestrations and correspondence.
Containers
box 8, folder 1-2
Containers
box 8, folder 3
Containers
box 8, folder 4
Containers
box 8, folder 5
Containers
box 8, folder 6
Containers
box 8, folder 7
Containers
box 8, folder 8
Containers
box 8, folder 9
Containers
box 8, folder 10
Containers
box 8, folder 11
Containers
box 8, folder 12
Containers
box 8, folder 13
Containers
box 9, folder 1
Containers
box 9, folder 2
Containers
box 9, folder 3
Containers
box 9, folder 4
Containers
box 9, folder 5-6
Containers
box 9, folder 7
Containers
box 9, folder 8
Containers
box 9, folder 9
Containers
box 9, folder 10
Containers
box 9, folder 11-12
Containers
box 9, folder 13
Containers
box 9, folder 14
Containers
box 10, folder 1
Containers
box 10, folder 2
Containers
box 10, folder 3
Containers
box 10, folder 4
Containers
box 10, folder 5
Containers
box 10, folder 6
Containers
box 10, folder 7
Containers
box 10, folder 8-9
Containers
box 10, folder 11
Containers
box 10, folder 12
Containers
box 11, folder 1
Containers
box 11, folder 2
Containers
box 11, folder 3-4
Containers
box 11, folder 5
Containers
box 11, folder 6
Containers
box 11, folder 7-8
Containers
box 11, folder 9
Containers
box 11, folder 10-11
Containers
box 11, folder 12
Containers
box 11, folder 13
Containers
box 12, folder 1
Containers
box 12, folder 2
Containers
box 12, folder 3-4
Containers
box 12, folder 5
Containers
box 12, folder 6
Containers
box 12, folder 7
Containers
box 12, folder 8
Containers
box 12, folder 9
Containers
box 12, folder 10
Containers
box 12, folder 11
Containers
box 12, folder 12
Containers
box 13, folder 1
Containers
box 13, folder 2
Containers
box 13, folder 3
Containers
box 13, folder 4
Containers
box 13, folder 5
Containers
box 13, folder 6
Containers
box 13, folder 7
Containers
box 13, folder 8
Containers
box 13, folder 9
Containers
box 13, folder 10
Containers
box 13, folder 11-12
Containers
box 13, folder 13
Containers
box 13, folder 14
Containers
box 14, folder 1
Containers
box 14, folder 2
Containers
box 14, folder 3
Containers
box 14, folder 4
Containers
box 14, folder 5
Containers
box 14, folder 6
Containers
box 14, folder 7
Containers
box 14, folder 8
Containers
box 14, folder 9
Containers
box 14, folder 10
Scope and Content Notes
Boxes 15-17 contain the production scores to several of Brockett's shows; they are arranged alphabetically by the title of the production.
Containers
box 15, folder 1-2
Containers
box 15, folder 3
Containers
box 15, folder 4-5
Containers
box 16, folder 1
Containers
box 16, folder 2
Containers
box 16, folder 3
Containers
box 16, folder 4
Containers
box 16, folder 5
Containers
box 16, folder 6
Containers
box 17, folder 1
Containers
box 17, folder 2
Containers
box 17, folder 3
Containers
box 17, folder 4
Containers
box 17, folder 5
Containers
box 17, folder 6
Containers
box 17, folder 7
Containers
box 17, folder 8-10
Containers
box 17, folder 11
Containers
box 17, folder 12
Scope and Content Notes
Boxes 18 and 19 are an alphabetical arrangement by title prepared by Don Brockett of skits, comedic scenes, intros, medleys, and some lyrics to songs. Box 20 consists of miscellaneous materials including scrapbooks, programs, artwork, etc.
Containers
box 18, folder 1-10
Containers
box 19, folder 1-7
Containers
box 20, folder 1
Containers
box 20, folder 2
Containers
box 20, folder 3
Containers
box 20, folder 4
Containers
box 20, folder 5
Containers
box 20, folder 6
Containers
box 20, folder 7
Containers
box 20, folder 8
Containers
box 20, folder 9
Containers
box 20, folder 10
Scope and Content Notes
Within this series are song orchestrations that were used by Brockett for his multitude of stage productions. They are arranged into four subseries: Known composers, Brockett composed, Unknown composers, and Other orchestrations.
Scope and Content Notes
Box 21 contains orchestrations by composers who are not Don Brockett and are clearly identified on the materials; they are arranged alphabetically by the song title.
Containers
box 21, folder 1
Containers
box 21, folder 2
Containers
box 21, folder 3
Containers
box 21, folder 4
Containers
box 21, folder 5
Containers
box 21, folder 6
Containers
box 21, folder 7
Containers
box 21, folder 8
Containers
box 21, folder 9
Containers
box 21, folder 10
Containers
box 21, folder 11
Containers
box 21, folder 12
Containers
box 21, folder 13
Containers
box 21, folder 14
Containers
box 21, folder 15
Containers
box 21, folder 16
Containers
box 21, folder 17
Containers
box 21, folder 18
Containers
box 21, folder 19
Containers
box 21, folder 20
Containers
box 21, folder 21
Containers
box 21, folder 22
Containers
box 21, folder 23
Containers
box 21, folder 24
Containers
box 21, folder 25
Containers
box 21, folder 26
Containers
box 21, folder 27
Containers
box 21, folder 28
Containers
box 21, folder 29
Scope and Content Notes
Box 22 contains orchestrations labeled as being composed by Don Brockett; they are arranged alphabetically by the title of the piece.
Containers
box 22, folder 1
Containers
box 22, folder 2
Containers
box 22, folder 3
Containers
box 22, folder 4
Containers
box 22, folder 5
Containers
box 22, folder 6
Containers
box 22, folder 7
Containers
box 22, folder 8
Containers
box 22, folder 9
Containers
box 22, folder 10
Containers
box 22, folder 11
Containers
box 22, folder 12
Containers
box 22, folder 13
Containers
box 22, folder 14
Containers
box 22, folder 15
Containers
box 22, folder 16
Containers
box 22, folder 17
Containers
box 22, folder 18
Containers
box 22, folder 19
Containers
box 22, folder 20
Containers
box 22, folder 21
Containers
box 22, folder 22
Containers
box 22, folder 23
Containers
box 22, folder 24
Containers
box 22, folder 25
Containers
box 22, folder 26
Containers
box 22, folder 27
Containers
box 22, folder 28
Containers
box 22, folder 29
Containers
box 22, folder 30
Containers
box 22, folder 31
Containers
box 22, folder 32
Containers
box 22, folder 33
Containers
box 22, folder 34
Containers
box 22, folder 35
Containers
box 22, folder 36
Containers
box 22, folder 37
Containers
box 22, folder 38
Containers
box 22, folder 39
Containers
box 22, folder 40
Containers
box 22, folder 41
Containers
box 22, folder 42
Containers
box 22, folder 43
Containers
box 22, folder 44
Containers
box 22, folder 45
Containers
box 22, folder 46
Scope and Content Notes
Boxes 23-28 are orchestrations composed by miscellaneous composers (some of which are possibly Brockett and some that are popular famous composers) but the composer is not specifically identified on the materials; they are arranged alphabetically by the title of the piece.
Containers
box 23, folder 1
Containers
box 23, folder 2
Containers
box 23, folder 3
Containers
box 23, folder 4
Containers
box 23, folder 5
Containers
box 23, folder 6
Containers
box 23, folder 7
Containers
box 23, folder 8
Containers
box 23, folder 9
Containers
box 23, folder 10
Containers
box 23, folder 11
Containers
box 23, folder 12
Containers
box 23, folder 13
Containers
box 23, folder 14
Containers
box 23, folder 15
Containers
box 23, folder 16
Containers
box 23, folder 17
Containers
box 23, folder 18
Containers
box 23, folder 19
Containers
box 23, folder 20
Containers
box 23, folder 21
Containers
box 23, folder 22
Containers
box 23, folder 23
Containers
box 23, folder 24
Containers
box 23, folder 25
Containers
box 23, folder 26
Containers
box 24, folder 1
Containers
box 24, folder 2
Containers
box 24, folder 3
Containers
box 24, folder 4
Containers
box 24, folder 5
Containers
box 24, folder 6
Containers
box 24, folder 7
Containers
box 24, folder 8
Containers
box 24, folder 9
Containers
box 24, folder 10
Containers
box 24, folder 11
Containers
box 24, folder 12
Containers
box 24, folder 13
Containers
box 24, folder 14
Containers
box 24, folder 15
Containers
box 24, folder 16
Containers
box 24, folder 17
Containers
box 24, folder 18
Containers
box 24, folder 19
Containers
box 24, folder 20
Containers
box 24, folder 21
Containers
box 24, folder 22
Containers
box 24, folder 23
Containers
box 24, folder 24
Containers
box 24, folder 25
Containers
box 24, folder 26
Containers
box 24, folder 27
Containers
box 24, folder 28
Containers
box 25, folder 1
Containers
box 25, folder 2
Containers
box 25, folder 3
Containers
box 25, folder 4
Containers
box 25, folder 5
Containers
box 25, folder 6
Containers
box 25, folder 7
Containers
box 25, folder 8
Containers
box 25, folder 9
Containers
box 25, folder 10
Containers
box 25, folder 11
Containers
box 25, folder 12
Containers
box 25, folder 13
Containers
box 25, folder 14
Containers
box 25, folder 15
Containers
box 25, folder 16
Containers
box 25, folder 17
Containers
box 25, folder 18
Containers
box 25, folder 19
Containers
box 25, folder 20
Containers
box 25, folder 21
Containers
box 25, folder 22
Containers
box 25, folder 23
Containers
box 25, folder 24
Containers
box 25, folder 25
Containers
box 25, folder 26
Containers
box 25, folder 27
Containers
box 25, folder 28
Containers
box 25, folder 29
Containers
box 25, folder 30
Containers
box 25, folder 31
Containers
box 25, folder 32
Containers
box 25, folder 33
Containers
box 25, folder 34
Containers
box 25, folder 35
Containers
box 26, folder 1
Containers
box 26, folder 2
Containers
box 26, folder 3
Containers
box 26, folder 4
Containers
box 26, folder 5
Containers
box 26, folder 6
Containers
box 26, folder 7
Containers
box 26, folder 8
Containers
box 26, folder 9
Containers
box 26, folder 10
Containers
box 26, folder 11
Containers
box 26, folder 12
Containers
box 26, folder 13
Containers
box 26, folder 14
Containers
box 26, folder 15
Containers
box 26, folder 16
Containers
box 26, folder 17
Containers
box 26, folder 18
Containers
box 26, folder 19
Containers
box 26, folder 20
Containers
box 26, folder 21
Containers
box 26, folder 22
Containers
box 26, folder 23
Containers
box 26, folder 24
Containers
box 27, folder 1
Containers
box 27, folder 2
Containers
box 27, folder 3
Containers
box 27, folder 4
Containers
box 27, folder 5
Containers
box 27, folder 6
Containers
box 27, folder 7
Containers
box 27, folder 8
Containers
box 27, folder 9
Containers
box 27, folder 10
Containers
box 27, folder 11
Containers
box 27, folder 12
Containers
box 27, folder 13
Containers
box 27, folder 14
Containers
box 27, folder 15
Containers
box 27, folder 16
Containers
box 27, folder 17
Containers
box 27, folder 18
Containers
box 27, folder 19
Containers
box 27, folder 20
Containers
box 27, folder 21
Containers
box 27, folder 22
Containers
box 27, folder 23
Containers
box 27, folder 24
Containers
box 27, folder 25
Containers
box 27, folder 26
Containers
box 27, folder 27
Containers
box 27, folder 28
Containers
box 27, folder 29
Containers
box 27, folder 30
Containers
box 27, folder 31
Containers
box 27, folder 32
Containers
box 27, folder 33
Containers
box 27, folder 34
Containers
box 27, folder 35
Containers
box 27, folder 36
Containers
box 27, folder 37
Containers
box 27, folder 38
Containers
box 27, folder 39
Containers
box 27, folder 40
Containers
box 27, folder 41
Containers
box 27, folder 42
Containers
box 27, folder 43
Containers
box 27, folder 44
Containers
box 27, folder 45
Containers
box 27, folder 46
Containers
box 27, folder 47
Containers
box 27, folder 48
Containers
box 27, folder 49
Containers
box 27, folder 50
Containers
box 27, folder 51
Containers
box 27, folder 52
Containers
box 27, folder 53
Containers
box 28, folder 1
Containers
box 28, folder 2
Containers
box 28, folder 3
Containers
box 28, folder 4
Containers
box 28, folder 5
Containers
box 28, folder 6
Containers
box 28, folder 7
Containers
box 28, folder 8
Containers
box 28, folder 9
Containers
box 28, folder 10
Scope and Content Notes
Boxes 29 and 30 are medley orchestrations and are in an alphabetical arrangement by title. Box 30 also consists of a number of items that are all assorted orchestrations and were grouped together by Brockett. For the most part, the orchestrations are not published materials, and sometimes are handwritten. Some of the song titles have very extensive orchestrations that include music for a full orchestra. Box 31 contains original Brockett orchestrations that are not available for access to patrons due to their condition, although copies have been made and are available for use with the other copies of music for that song title.
Containers
box 29, folder 1-3
Containers
box 29, folder 4-5
Containers
box 29, folder 6
Containers
box 29, folder 7
Containers
box 29, folder 8
Containers
box 30, folder 1
Containers
box 30, folder 2
Containers
box 30, folder 3
Containers
box 30, folder 4
Containers
box 30, folder 5
Containers
box 30, folder 6
Containers
box 30, folder 7
Containers
box 30, folder 8
Containers
box 30, folder 9
Containers
box 30, folder 10
Containers
box 30, folder 11
Containers
box 30, folder 12
Containers
box 30, folder 13
Containers
box 30, folder 14
Containers
box 30, folder 15
Containers
box 30, folder 16
Containers
box 30, folder 17
Containers
box 30, folder 18
Containers
box 30, folder 19
Containers
box 31, folder 1-2
Scope and Content Notes
This series is arranged alphabetically by folder subject title. The folder subject titles are the same folder titles that were present on the folders when the collection was received; they were probably titled by Brockett.
Containers
box 32, folder 1
Containers
box 32, folder 2
Containers
box 32, folder 3
Containers
box 32, folder 4
Containers
box 32, folder 5
Containers
box 32, folder 6
Containers
box 32, folder 7
Containers
box 32, folder 8
Containers
box 32, folder 9
Containers
box 32, folder 10
Containers
box 33, folder 1
Containers
box 33, folder 2
Containers
box 33, folder 3
Containers
box 33, folder 4
Containers
box 33, folder 5
Containers
box 33, folder 6
Containers
box 33, folder 7
Containers
box 33, folder 8
Containers
box 33, folder 9
Containers
box 34, folder 1-5
Scope and Content Notes
The final series in the collection contains items, information, and promotional materials with entertainers that Brockett managed and worked with, such as Jack and Sally Jenkins, The Vogues, and Father Tom Smith. The Index to Music in Theatre resource is a partial alphabetical list of Brockett productions along with cast lists and the song titles that were performed in the show. This series also contains some miscellaneous and/or oversized photos, art, and plaques.