AHJ_ah07927 Inventory of the Abraham Ellstein and Sylvia Regan papers, 1921-1982 Ellstein (Abraham) and Regan (Sylvia) papers Processed by Alexandra Cardin University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
American Heritage Center Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: 307.766.2574 Fax:307.766.5511 Email:ahcref@uwyo.edu URL:http://ahc.uwyo.edu/
2018

University of Wyoming

 Finding aid encoded by Alexandra Cardin January 2018 Finding aid is in English Collection Summary Ellstein, Abraham, 1907-1963 Regan, Sylvia Abraham Ellstein and Sylvia Regan papers 1921-1982 07927 16.00 cubic ft. (39 boxes) University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center. English Yiddish Papers of a husband and wife who collaborated on composing and writing musicals and plays performed mostly in the Yiddish Theater Disctrict of New York City but also on Broadway. Abraham Ellstein and Sylvia Regan

Abraham Ellstein (1907-1963), was a Jewish composer and conductor born in New York City. During his most active years, he was one of the “Big Four” of composers in the Yiddish theater district. He composed scores for movies, the most well-known, “Yiddle With his Fiddle”, starring Molly Picon, a prominent actress in the Yiddish theater and movie industry. He also composed folk songs, as well as liturgical songs, some especially for Tenor Jan Peerce. His most famous work, “The Golem”, created with his wife, was the only opera he composed. It was performed at the New York City Opera in 1962. His wife, Sylvia Regan, started as an actress but later wrote plays, musicals, television, and radio scripts. She wrote “Great To Be Alive!” with her husband, and the show premiered on Broadway in 1950. She also had great success with “The Fifth Season” and “Morning Star”.

 Scope and Content

The collection contains scripts and music scores for "The Golem", Great To Be Alive" and other works by Ellstein and Regan; correspondence; contracts; audio magnetic tapes; phonograph records; scrapbooks; photographs; manuscripts; and programs.

 Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

 Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

 Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Abraham Ellstein and Sylvia Regan at the date of processing.

 Acquisition Information

This material was received from Sylvia Regan, 1982-1991.

 Processing Information

The collection was processed by Alexandra Cardin in January 2018.

 Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

 Access Terms Picon, Molly. Peerce, Jan, 1904-1984. Folk songs, Yiddish. Judaism--Liturgy Motion pictures, Yiddish. Musicals. Radio plays. Synagogue music. Television plays. Theater, Yiddish. <?xm-replace_text {Title as Subject}?> Ellstein, Abraham--Golem Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Music Performing Arts Jewish Americans Container List Series I. Biographical 1 Biography and List of Published Works by A. Ellstein undated 1 Biography and List of Published Works by Sylvia Regan undated 1 Photographs of A. Ellstein and Sylvia Regan, Black and White undated Series II. Professional Abraham Ellstein Sub-series 1. Administrative 1 Abraham Ellstein Memorial Scholarship, Juilliard School of Music 1963-1981, undated 1 ASCAP Contracts, New Chord Inc. 1961-1964 1 Carnegie Hall Program, Gala Concert Participation 1928 The Golem 1 Contracts, Performance and Rights to Adapt 1961-1962 1 Correspondence, Reviews, Publicity, etc. 1962 1 Correspondence to Opera Companies 1962-1963 1 Description of Parts and Voice Range undated 1 Reviews, Correspondence, etc. 1961-1962 Great to Be Alive! 1 Contracts 1944-1949 1 Contracts and Correspondence 1947-1950 1 Contracts for Musical 1944-1950 1 Los Angeles Photographs, Black and White undated 1 Los Angeles Publicity and Contracts 1945-1954, undated 1 Letters from Museums 1966-1971 Danny Mendoza 2 Contracts, Correspondence, Synopsis, Unproduced Work 1954-1956, undated 2 Miscellaneous Contracts 1938-1964 2 Miscellaneous Contracts 1938-1974 2 Miscellaneous Programs 1961-1978, undated 2 Miscellaneous Programs,Publicity, Reviews, etc. 1959-1980, undated Ode to the King of Kings 2 Programs 1958-1971, undated The Thief and the Hang Man 2 Correspondence with Ohio University 1958-1976 Sub-series 2. Music scores and Manuscripts Sub-sub-series 1. Early Work Impromptu 3 Score for Violin and Piano June 6, 1933 In Beth Hamedrish 3 Orchestra Score December, 1927 Mass, 3 Entire Score April, 1924-August, 1924 3 Miscellaneous Scores 1 of 2 1921-1934, undated 3 Miscellaneous Scores 2 of 2 1921-1934, undated 3 Opera in 3 Acts, 4 Scenes 1920 The Piper 4 Bound Score November, 1922-March, 1923 Romanza 4 Score for Violin and Piano March 5, 1932-March 23, 1932 Yzdra 4 Opera Score March, 1925 4 Opera Score January, 1926 Sub-sub-series 2. Folk Songs 80 er 70 Sie 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Alevai Volt... 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Bulbes 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Chazkele 5 Score (Manuscript) undated De Filisof 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Evev Pesach... 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Freg Di Volt An Alte Kashe 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Freitag Oif Der Nacht 5 Score (Mansucript) undatedS Ganvenen 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Gei Ich Mi Shpazvien 5 Score (Manuscript) Hot a Yid a Vebete 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Lome Sich Ibebeten 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Lomir alle... 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Maybe 5 Score (Manuscript) 1939 Meidel in Di Yuren 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Mesinke Osgegeben 5 Score (Manuscript) undated 5 Miscellaneous Scores (Manuscripts) undated Moschiach 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Ofin Pripitchok 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Oy Avram 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Rebi Elimelech 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Shluf Mein Feigele 5 Score (Mansucript) undated Yoshke 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Sub-sub-series 3. Liturgical Songs for Opera Singer, Jan Peerce A Pastuchl 5 Score (Manuscript) undated A Zemer'l 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Adoshem Adoshem 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Ahavas Olom 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Borchenu Vabrocho 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Broches Chanuka (Blessing of the Candles) 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Hashkiveinu 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Kiddish 5 Score (Manuscript) undated Madoglu, Pslam 92 6 Score (Manuscript) undated Retsei 6 Score (Manuscript) undated Rochel M'Vakoh 6 Score (Manuscript) undated Sheyibonei 6 Score (Manuscript) undated Sheyibonei Bes Hanikdosh 6 Score (Manuscript) undated Shma Yisroel 6 Score (Manuscript) undated Sim Sholom (Prayer for Peace) 6 Score (Manuscript) undated V'li Yerusholayim Ircho 6 Score (Manuscript) undated Yismechu 6 Score (Manuscript) undated Sub-sub-series 4. Miscellaneous As Der Rebi Vil 7 Score (Manuscriipt) 1929 7 1st and 2nd Cornets Sheets 1929 7 1st and 2nd Violins Sheets 1929 7 Bass Sheets 1929 7 Cello Sheets 1929 7 Clarinet Sheets 1929 7 Drums Sheets 1929 7 Flute Sheets 1929 7 Oboe Sheets 1929 7 Piano Sheets 1929 7 Trombone Sheets 1929 The Big Shot/the Baby Sitter 7 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets undated 7 Bass Sheets undated 7 Cello Sheets undated 7 Clarinet Sheets undated 7 Drums Sheets undated 7 Entire Score (Manuscript) undated 8 Flute Sheets undated 8 Piano Sheets undated 8 Trombone Sheets undated 8 Violin Sheets undated Booblitchki 8 Score (Manuscript) 1937 8 Cello Sheets 1937 8 Clarinet Sheets 1937 8 Drums Sheets 1937 8 Flute Sheets 1937 8 Piano Sheets undated 8 Trombone Sheets 1937 8 Trumpet Sheets 1937 8 Violin Sheets 1937 Chassidic Dance 8 Score (Manuscript) undated Chavivele 8 Score (Manuscript) undated Der Berdichiver Chosen 10 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets undated 9 Bass Sheets undated 9 Bassoon Sheets undated 9 Cello Sheets undated 9 Clarinet Sheets undated 9 Drums Sheets undated 9 Entire Score (Manuscript) undated 9 Flute Sheets undated 9 Oboe Sheets undated 10 Piano Sheets undated 10 Trombone Sheets undated 10 Violin Sheets undated Don't Worry 10 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets 1951-1952 10 Bass Sheets 1951-1952 10 Clarinet Sheets 1951-1952 10 Drums Sheets 1951-1952 10 Entire Score (Manuscript) 1951-1952 10 Piano Sheets 1951-1952 10 Trombone Sheets 1951-1952 10 Violin Sheets 1951-1952 Eretz Yisroel 10 Bass Sheets undated 10 Cello Sheets undated 11 Clarinet Sheets undated 11 Drums Sheets undated 11 Flute Sheets undated 11 Oboe and English Horn Sheets undated 11 Piano Sheets undated 11 Score (Manuscript) undated 11 Trombone Sheets undated 11 Trumpet Sheets undated 11 Violin Sheets undated Freilach Rhapsody 11 Score (Manuscript) undated The Golem 12 Act I Before Final Corrections, Manuscript undated 12 Act III, Before Final Corrections (Bound) undated 13 Act I and II, Full Vocal Score(Bound) undated 13 Act II, Full Vocal Score(Bound) undated 13 Act III and IV, Full Vocal Score(Bound) undated 12 Play Version 1962 12 Version of Opera Prior to Production by City Center Opera Company, NY undated Haftorah 14 Score (Manuscript) undated His Wife's Lover 14 1st and 2nd Cornets Sheets 1929-1930 14 Bass Sheets 1929-1930 14 Cello Sheets 1929-1930 14 Clarinet Sheets 1929-1930 14 Drums and Tympani Sheets 1929-1930 14 Flute Sheets 1929-1930 14 Oboe Sheets 1919-1930 14 Piano Sheets 1929-1930 14 Score (Manuscript) 1929-1930 14 Trombone Sheets 1929-1930 14 Violin Sheets 1929-1930 Hora 14 Score (Manuscript) undated The Hungarian Cantor 14 Clarinet Sheets undated 14 Drums Sheets undated 14 Flute Sheets undated 14 Piano Sheets undated 14 Trombone Sheets undated 14 Trumpet Sheets undated 14 Violin Sheets undated Hungarian Chasen 14 Score (Manuscript) undated I'm in Love 15 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets 1946-1947 15 Bass Sheets 1946-1947 15 Clarinet Sheets 1946-1947 15 Drums Sheets 1946-1947 15 Piano Sheets 1946-1947 15 Score (Manuscript) 1946-1947 15 Trombone Sheets 1946-1947 15 Violin Sheets 1946-1947 Israeli Rhapsody 16 Score (Manuscript) undated The Jolly World 16 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets undated 16 1st and 2nd Violins Sheets undated 16 Cello Sheets undated 16 Clarinet Sheets undated 16 Drums Sheets undated 16 Flute Sheets undated 16 Piano Sheets undated 16 Score (Manuscript) undated 16 Trombone Sheets undated Just My Luck 17 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets undated 17 Bass Sheets undated 17 Clarinet Sheets undated 17 Direction Sheets undated 17 Drums Sheets undated 17 Piano Sheets undated 17 Trombone Sheets undated 17 Violin Sheets undated Keshinever 17 Score (Manuscript) undated Leave it to Charlie 18 Score (Manuscript)and Notes 1948-1949 Leave it to Me 18 Bass Sheets 1946-1947 18 Clarinet Sheets 1946-1947 18 Drums Sheets 1946-1947 18 Piano Sheets 1946-1947 18 Score (Manuscript) 1946-1947 18 Trombone Sheets 1946-1947 18 Trumpet Sheets 1946-1947 18 Violin Sheets 1946-1947 Let's Be Gay 18 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets 1952 18 Bass Sheets 1952 18 Direction Sheets 1952 18 Drums Sheets 1952 18 Piano Sheets 1952 18 Trombone Sheets 1952 18 Violin Sheets 1952 Malkela 19 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets 1937 19 Cello Sheets 1937 19 Clarinet Sheets 1937 18 Conductor Sheets 1937 19 Drums Sheets 1937 19 Flute Sheets 1937 19 Piano Sheets 1937 19 Trombone Sheets 1937 19 Violin Sheets 1937 Mamele 20 Movie Score (Manuscript) 1936 20 1st Horn Sheets undated 20 1st Trumpet Sheets undated 20 1st Violin Sheets undated 20 2nd Horn Sheets undated 20 2nd Trumpet Sheets undated 20 2nd Violin Sheets undated 20 Bass Sheets undated 20 Cello Sheets undated 21 Clarinet Sheets undated 21 Drums Sheets undated 21 Flute Sheets undated 21 Harp Sheets undated 21 Miscellaneous Sheets undated 21 Oboe Sheets undated 21 Opening Sheets undated 21 Trombone Sheets undated 21 Viola Sheets undated 22 Miscellaneous Scores undated Motel Peyse 22 1st and 2nd Cornets Sheets undated 22 Bass Sheets undated 22 Cello Sheets undated 22 Clarinet Sheets undated 22 Drum Sheets undated 22 Flute Sheets undated 22 Oboe Sheets undated 23 Piano Sheets undated 22 Score(Manuscript) undated 23 Trombone Sheets undated 23 Violin Sheets undated Negev Concerto 23 Score (Manuscript) undated 23 Score (Manuscript) undated Ode 23 Score (Manuscript), conducted by A. Ellstein at Carnegie Hall 1 of 2 1947 23 Score (Manuscript), conducted by A. Ellstein at Cranegie Hall 2 of 2 1947 Phantasmata 24 Bound Score undated 24 Original Pencil Score undated Shabbat Menuchah 25 Score (Manuscript) undated Suzzie 25 Cello Sheets 1937 25 Clarinet Sheets 1937 25 Drums Sheets 1937 25 Flute Sheets 1937 25 Piano Sheets 1937 25 Trombone Sheets 1937 25 Trumpets Sheets 1937 25 Violin Sheets 1937 The Thief and the Hangman 25 Bound Score and Productiuon Notes 1958, undated Two Tonal Sketches (by the Waters of Babylon and Haman Carnival 25 Score (Manuscript) for Orchestra undated Wedding Night 26 1st and 2nd Trumpets Sheets undated 26 Bass Sheets undated 26 Clarinet Sheets undated 26 Drums Sheets undated 26 Piano Sheets undated 26 Score (Manuscript) undated 26 Trombone Sheets undated 26 Violin Sheets undated What a Guy 27 Score and Yiddish Script 1948 Wish Me Luck 27 Bass Sheets undated 27 Clarinet Sheets undated 27 Drums Sheets undated 28 Piano Sheets undated 27 Score (Manuscript) undated 28 Sheets for Singers undated 28 Trombone Sheets undated 28 Trumpet Sheets undated 28 Violin Sheets undated Yidl Mit'n Fidl 28 Movie Score (Manuscript) 1937-1938 Sub-series 3. Published works 29 Ima - Mother of Israel, Score undated 29 Miscellaneous Published Songs 1937-1965 29 Miscellaneous Works and Lists 1964-1978 Sub-series 4. Audio Recordings Audio Magnetic Tapes 30 Ellstein Tribute, Master #2, 9 mins March 25, 1963 30 The Golem April 4, 1962 30 Haftorah, Abraham Ellstein,William Gunther Sprecher and Itzhak Perlman Demonstration undated 30 Ode, Rochester undated 30 The Redemption,, Eastman School Chorus, Rochester February, 1964 30 Test Reel in House, Jan Peerce etc. undated 30 The Thief and the Hangman undated 30 The Thief and the Hangman, Athens, Ohio undated 30 The Thief and the Hangman, Redlands, Part 1 undated 30 The Thief and the Hangman, Redlands, Part 2 undated 30 Yiddish Maestro Please, The Ferder Sisters, Orchestra Conducted by A. Ellstein undated Phonograph Records 30 Cantorial Masterpieces, Jan Peerce, Orchestra Conducted by A. Ellstein undated 30 Haftorah, Ellstein, Perlamn and Sprecher undated 30 The Song and the Prayer: If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem, by A. Ellstein, in Hebrew, Sung by Jan Peerce September 25, 1960 30 Introduction to the Kaddish, by A. Ellstein undated 30 Jan Peerce Sings Yiddish Folk Songs, Orchestra Conducted by A. Ellstein undated 30 Love, Italian Style, Demo (Melody)by A. Ellstein undated 30 Stampede: a Tale of the West, Gene Autry, music by A. Ellstein 1949 30 The Thief and the Hangman, Side A, Performed by the Ohio University Opera Orchestra undated 30 The Thief and the Hangman, Side B, Performed by the Ohio University Opera Orchestra undated Sub-series 5. Scrapbooks and Clippings 31 Miscellaneous Postcards and Notes 1922-1924, undated 31 Miscellaneous Programs and Clippings 1936-1947, undated 24 Molly Picon Concert Poster undated 31 Programs and Clippings from Tours with Molly Picon 1932-1937, undated 31 Scrapbook 1924-1928 31 Scrapbook 1932-1937, undated 32 Scrapbook 1936-1947, undated 31 Scrapbook from European Tour and other 1928-1933 31 Write-ups of A. Ellstein 1921-1925 Series III. Professional Sylvia Regan Sub-series 1. Administrative 33 Contracts - Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros. 1943-1975 The Fifth Season 33 Broadway Production Photographs undated 33 Contracts and Correspondence 1951-1962 33 Contracts and Correspondence for Israel and South Africa 1968 33 Contracts, Reviews, etc. (Eden Theatre) 1975-1976 33 Correspondence with MCA Agent and Producer 1952-1962 33 Financial Backers and Contracts 1951-1953 33 London Production Photographs 1954 33 Miscellaneous Publicity and Reviews, London and USA 1962-1974 Marianne 33 Contracts 1942-1943 Morning Star 33 Broadway Reviews, Press Material and Photograph 1940 33 Contracts and Correspondence 1939-1960 33 Contracts and Correspondence 1938-1965 34 Reviews and Programs 1940-1972 34 London Correspondence 1949-1952 34 Sylvia Regan's Early Career as an actress, Programs, Photographs and Reviews 1925-1928, undated Zelda 34 Production Contracts 1967-1969 34 Publicity,Programs,Reviews and Photographs 1968-1969 Sub-series 2. Manuscripts Bowery Nightingale 34 Film Script October 9, 1943 Crossroads 34 Play 1941 Every Day but Friday 34 Play 1937 The Fifth Season 34 London Production Script February 24,1954 35 Screenplay undated 35 Screenplay, Spanish Version undated 35 Television Adaptation undated Footsteps Behind Her 35 Film Treatment for Twentieth Century Fox April 27, 1944 Forty-Four West 35 Draft undated 35 Draft, Final Version undated 35 Original Version undated Great to Be Alive! 35 Book for Musical undated A Hundred Million Nickels 35 Play undated Journey from a Noon Wedding 36 Teleplay undated The Man in White and Black 36 Screenplay, 1st Draft undated 36 Screenplay, Latest Draft undated Marianne 36 Book for Musical July 22, 1942 Danny Mendoza 36 1st Version (Musical) 1954 36 2nd Version 1954 36 Final Draft 1954 37 Miscellaneous Radio Scripts undated Morning Star 37 1st Draft undated 37 prompt Copy, Rehearsal 1940 37 Radio and Television Scripts 1948-1954 Parnell's Pyramid 37 Script,Produced by CBC September 11, 1956 37 Television Play undated Safe Harbor 37 Early Draft undated 37 Later Draft undated 37 Play undated The Twelfth Hour 37 1st Draft, Play 1972 38 2nd Draft undated 38 Play, Final Draft 1981 38 Untitle original for Monty Woolley-Gracie Fields Treatment for Twentieth Century Fox March 3, 1944 The Wind-Up Toys 38 Play, 1st Draft 1982 38 Play, Final Draft 1982 Zelda 38 Play, Final Draft Before Rehearsal 1968 38 Revised Draft 1966 39 Script, Stage Manager Copy 1968 Sub-series 3. Published works The Fifth Season 39 Booklets 1953-1954 Morning Star 39 Booklet 1950 Zelda 39 Booklet 1969