The Creation of the World and Other Business. A Catastrophic Comedy.

MILLER, Arthur.

Published by New York: [no publisher], 1972

About this Item

Rehearsal script, signed on the title page by the author, of Miller's "serio-comic treatment of man's predicament in the Garden of Eden" (Whitehead). The text is significantly different from the version first published by the Viking Press in 1973. Miller's play was announced in the New York Times on 9 September 1971. The article notes that Miller "began writing the script about a year ago" and that the producer, Robert Whitehead, noted "we still haven't got a printed script" (see Calta). During the rehearsal period there were changes to the cast, and also the director. There were also some significant rewrites. After 21 previews, the show opened on 30 November 1972 on Broadway. It ran for 20 performances. Miller would later rewrite the piece as a musical. The present script comprises title page, the text of Act 1 (81 pages), and Act 2 (63 pages). The title page notes details of the producer as "Dowling-Whitehead-Stevens" of 1564 Broadway. The published version of the play is structured in three acts. The present script has two acts (with two scenes in Act 1) and differences from the published text: from changes in stage directions to passages of dialogue. Act 2 has, for example, an exchange between Lucifer and Chemuel which is entirely cut from the published text. Robert Whitehead quoted in Louis Calta, "Miller Has a New Play for Broadway", New York Times, 9 September 1971, p. 50; Folio. Mimeographic typescript, 145 leaves (279 x 216 mm), printed on rectos only, additional leaves numbered "2-13A" and "2-17A". Original light blue wrappers, front wrapper lettered in gilt comprising title, author, and "studio duplicating service, inc." name and address, two brass screw brads. Extremities of wrappers worn with minor loss, tears to front wrapper at screw brads: a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 177482

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Creation of the World and Other Business. A Catastrophic Comedy.
• Publisher: New York: [no publisher], 1972
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)