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- A correspondence between the American producer Jean Dalrymple, co-ordinator of the U.S. Performing Arts Program for the 1958 Brussels World Fair, and Mexican playwright Rodolfo Usigli regarding productions of his Spanish translation of John Patrick's play "The Teahouse of the August Moon". Included are 12 typed letters signed by Rodolfo Usigli, 5 retained copies of Jean Dalrymple's letters as well as 2 signed letters by Usigli's agent Claire Leonard, a signed letter by Mary Mignione regarding the play and 2 programs for performances of the play "La Casa de Te de la Luna de Agosto", including one performed by Mexico's "Teatro de los Insurgentes".In a two page letter from Mexico dated September 14th, 1955, Usigli apologizes for the delay in replying "Unfortunately, on the 5th I had a call from Guadalajara informing me that my brother was critically ill and on the verge of a fatal operation." He goes on to state that: "Things at the Insurgentes are going smoothly. Both Corcega and Monterde (Gregovich) have improved their performances after a few remarks." He then informs Jean that City Hall is opposed to raising the price of admission and addresses Jean's concerns about official ticket scalpers: "Nothing can be done with regard to the 'reventa,' which is authorized by law, except to cancel our contract with the broker." Doing so, he explains, would leave them worse off. He writes about the actress "Lupe Carriles' demands", he says that he's working on "South Pacific" and mentions a young Mexican singer "Betty Fabila" "who might be considered for the role of Nellie." Signed "Rodolfo" with a postscript penned in ink "Here's a hand to your Shakespeare promotion!". On September 18th, in a letter from Mexico on two sides of a sheet of onion skin paper, Usigli expresses his puzzlement that Rosita "informed me that she had a letter from you to the effect that, starting September 9th, we should discontinue one of the two Friday performances." though he has not received such information from her (Jean Dalrymple). He requests that Jean let him know if that's the case by telegram as doing so will necessitate changes be made to programs and both radio and print publicity. He goes on to relate the success that the play is having and that the Mexican consul relates that Danton Walker & Michael O'Shea had highly praised the production after seeing it. Signed "Rodolfo" with a postcript about the program penned in another hand. In a 2-page letter dated September 26th, 1955 addressed "Jean, darling" as the previous letters have been, Rodolfo mentions having "reliable and definite information on the Kogan-Quintana matter." Writing about Rosita Quintana, Rodolfo proclaims that "she is very beautiful but I wouldn't advise you to use her in SOUTH PACIFIC. I don't believe she has a serious musical training, on one hand, and on the other motion picture artists are generally unreliable and invariably ditch the theatre for a film." He outlines several business matters they should consider and how absorbed he is at the moment translating "South Pacific". Signed "Rodolfo". On October 2nd, he writes in a two-page letter, that "A very good friend of mine, playwright Alejandro Verbitsky, from Argentine, approached me day before yesterday with an idea that sounds quite practical. He suggests that even if you can cover Cuba during the Winter, considering the new political conditions in his country, an endeavour should be made to open the TEAHOUSE in Buenos Aires by the month of March, reversing the order of the tour." He goes on to discuss details of the tour and business matters. Signed "Rodolfo". On November 19th, Rodolfo, referring to the projected tour of the play states that: "Your idea of hiring American actors sounds very good. I always thought that our cast were a little of [sic] their rocker when they asked for such salaries." Apparently, several of the Mexican actors would prefer making a movie despite the more profitable option of touring with the c.
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