1. In 1943, legendary actor, singer and activist Paul Robeson became the first Black actor in the United States to portray Shakespeare’s “Othello” - and here’s a photo of the historic performance from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection. We share it in honor of Robeson’s birthday - happy birthday, Paul.

    In 1943, legendary actor, singer and activist Paul Robeson became the first Black actor in the United States to portray Shakespeare’s “Othello” - and here’s a photo of the historic performance from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection. We share it in honor of Robeson’s birthday - happy birthday, Paul.

  2. Bette Davis, we love you. Today is the birthday of the legendary and beloved actress, who won two Academy Awards and was nominated for 10 over her distinguished career on screen and on stage. Here is a photo of Davis from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection. We have many more where that came from.

    Bette Davis, we love you. Today is the birthday of the legendary and beloved actress, who won two Academy Awards and was nominated for 10 over her distinguished career on screen and on stage. Here is a photo of Davis from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection. We have many more where that came from.

  3. He was a rebel. He made offers you couldn’t refuse. He yelled for Stella. And he was on the waterfront. He was Marlon Brando. And today, April 3, would have been his birthday. So we thought we’d share this photo of him from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection to celebrate. Happy birthday, Godfather.

    He was a rebel. He made offers you couldn’t refuse. He yelled for Stella. And he was on the waterfront. He was Marlon Brando. And today, April 3, would have been his birthday. So we thought we’d share this photo of him from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection to celebrate. Happy birthday, Godfather.

  4. Happy 100th BDay, Tennessee Williams

    Today would have been the 100th birthday of renowned, Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams, who penned “The Glass Menagerie,” “Streetcar Named Desire,” and “The Rose Tattoo” among many others. He also wrote “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” so this doubles as our weekly Caturday entry. So happy birthday Tennessee, and happy Caturday everyone! The photo above of Tennessee is from 1941 and was taken by Vandamm Studios. It’s currently in our Billy Rose Theatre Division at the Library For The Performing Arts.

  5. She always had a sense of humor - here’s a photo from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection of Elizabeth Taylor “in mock collapse” after a party for her daughter. The photo ran in a book called “Elizabeth Taylor” by Elizabeth Taylor, and was snapped by Roddy McDowall. We have all sorts of books by and about Liz Taylor in our collection - so check one out.

    She always had a sense of humor - here’s a photo from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection of Elizabeth Taylor “in mock collapse” after a party for her daughter. The photo ran in a book called “Elizabeth Taylor” by Elizabeth Taylor, and was snapped by Roddy McDowall. We have all sorts of books by and about Liz Taylor in our collection - so check one out.

  6. A gorgeous publicity photo from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection of legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, who died today at age 79. “Liz” starred in over 60 films over her incredible career and was known for her quotes, including, “When people say, ‘She’s got everything’, I’ve got one answer - I haven’t had tomorrow.”  

    A gorgeous publicity photo from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection of legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, who died today at age 79. “Liz” starred in over 60 films over her incredible career and was known for her quotes, including, “When people say, ‘She’s got everything’, I’ve got one answer - I haven’t had tomorrow.”

     

  7. A young Elizabeth Taylor in an undated photo from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection. RIP to a Hollywood legend.

    A young Elizabeth Taylor in an undated photo from our Billy Rose Theatre Collection. RIP to a Hollywood legend.