Subseries 1J: Papers: Chronological: 1984-1990

Box 10
Folder -- Contents

1. 1984, 2 Jan.: [Pillsbury], Henry, Paris. To Joe [Chaikin].
   Expresses interest in his ongoing projects. Autograph Letter Signed (xerox). 1 p., 29.6 cm.
2. 1984, 9 Jan.: [Chaikin], Joe, 1935- . To William [Merwin].
   Presents series of thoughts on piece they're working on; asks if it's still called "Haven't we Met." Typed Letter Signed (copy). 1 p., 27.9 cm.
3. 1984, 30 Mar.: [Sheffer], I[saiah], New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
   Sends examples of his script-writing; expresses excitement at possibility of working with him; thinks he'll like Symphony Space. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28.1 cm.
4. 1984, 1 April: [Frank], Robert, Israel. To Joe [Chaikin].
   "Happy that you are OK." Autograph Note Signed. 1 p., 13 cm. Frank portrait of Chaikin attached.
5. 1984, 9 April: [Beckett], Sam, 1906- , Paris. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
   Directs him to Walter Asmus for cuts in Berlin production. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 10.5 cm.
6. 1984, 18 April: Chaikin, Joe, 1935- . To Henry [Pillsbury], Paris.
   Was unable to complete collaboration with Sam Shepard at Harvard; will enquire about bringing his "Waiting for Godot" to Paris; project with W. S. Merwin "still incubating"; has begun project with Isaiah Scheffer. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 27.9 cm.
7. 1984, April: [Scheffer, Isaiah]
   Messiah Project. Typed Manuscript. 8 p., 28 cm. Notes on possible piece for Symphony Space.
8. 1984, 5 May: [Cohn], Ruby, 1922- , London. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
   Learned of Alan Schneider's accident on the day she saw "Savage/Love"; feels he was a conventional director until he was "purified" by Beckett. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 25.5 cm. Accompanied by copy of Schneider's obituary.
9. 1984, 10 May: [Cohn], Ruby, 1922- , Paris. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
   Learned of his operation from William Coco; talked to Samuel Beckett. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 18 cm.
10. 1984, 10 May: [Shepard], Sam, 1943- , Los Angeles. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Will be there if he needs him. Telegram. 1 p., 15.4 cm.
11. 1984, 26 May -- Nov. 21 [van Itallie, Jean-Claude, 1936-]
    Joe Journal. [van Itallie] documenting Chaikin's recovery following his stroke: Manuscript: typed, handwritten and annotated loose pages with photographs. Folder 1 of 2.
12. 1984, 26 May -- Nov. 21 [van Itallie, Jean-Claude, 1936-]
    Joe Journal. [van Itallie] documenting Chaikin's recovery following his stroke: Manuscript: typed, handwritten and annotated loose pages with photographs. Folder 2 of 2.
13. [1984, May]: [Chaikin, Joseph], 1935-
    [Hospital notebook]. Autograph Manuscript. 20 l., 22.8 cm. Accompanied by Autograph Note from Lillian Butler.
14. [1984, Spring]: [Chaikin, Joseph], 1935-
    Non violent piece. Autograph Manuscript. 11 l., 18.7 cm.
15. 1984, 3 June: [Cohn], Ruby, 1922- , Paris. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Reports that Samuel Beckett speaks of him "with such fondness" hopes he'll write a piece for Chaikin. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 18 cm.
16. 1984, 11 June: [Shepard], Sam, 1943- , Santa Fe. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Sends photo; has enjoyed their telephone conversations; will see him in August. 1 p., 27.9 cm.
17. 1984, 27 June: [Merwin], William, 1927- , Haiku, Hawaii. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Sends notice of encouragement. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 23.9 cm. Autograph Note to Jean-Claude van Itallie at foot of letter.
18. 1984, 17 July: [Beckett], Sam, 1906- . To Joe [Chaikin].
    Heard he was "taken ill" but would like "fuller news." Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 12.8 cm.
19. 1984, 23 July: [Sheffer], Isaiah.
    The Talk-Show Host. Typed Manuscript. 4 p., 28 cm. Draft of a story that could serve as the basis of a theater piece.
20. [1984], 15 Aug.: [MacGrath], Leueen, London. To Joe [Chaikin].
    Enjoyed talking with him; hopes to visit; sends check to help with expenses. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 20.2 cm.
21. 1984, 24 Aug.: [Adler], Stella, 1902- . To Joe [Chaikin].
    Testifies to the debt the theater world owes him. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 19.6 cm.
22. 1984, 26 Aug.: Merwin, William, 1927- , Haiku, Hawaii. To Jean-Claude van Itallie, Charlemont, Mass.
    Allows his name to be used on a fund-raising letter; hopes to work with Joe Chaikin again; will see him soon. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 22.9 cm.
23. 1984, Aug.: [Sheffer, Isaiah]
    Samson and Delilah. Typed Manuscript. 12 p., 27.9 cm. Notes on a possible collaboration with Joseph Chaikin. Accompanied by holograph notes on index cards.
24. [1984, 1 Sept.: [Shepard], Sam, 1943- . To Joe [Chaikin].
    Will send script; they'll discuss changes on phone; gives his schedule; predicts his speech will improve. Autograph Letter Signed. 5 p., 18.6 cm. Final page is a copy.
25. 1984, 6 Sept.: [Shepard], Sam, 1943- , Santa Fe. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Doesn't understand why "War in Heaven" hasn't arrived; plans finishing trip while Jessica Lange is in Los Angeles; asks his help in casting his new long play; has been reading Stephen Crane. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.
26. 1984, 14 Sept. to 10 Dec.: [Unidentified]
    Notebook, partially filled, including quotes and taped notes relating to Chaikin's recovery from his stroke.
27. [1984, Sept.]: [Shepard], Sam, 1943- . To Joe [Chaikin].
    Sends revised "War in Heaven"; will be busy on new play when he arrives in New York but still wants to work with him; responds to phone call. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 33.7 cm.
28. 1984, 20 Oct.: [Beckett], Sam, 1906- . To Joe [Chaikin].
    Thanks him for his "moving" letter; is convinced he'll "win this fight too." Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 p., 15.1 cm.
29. 1984, 6 Nov.: Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-
    Notes on Dante (with Chaikin, van Itallie, Woodruff, Quinn). Typed Manuscript (copy). 7 p., 28 cm. Material for Jean-Claude van Itallie's play about Chaikin's stroke, "The Traveler."
30. 1984, Dec.: [Adler], Stella, 1902- . To [Joseph Chaikin].
    Printed card Signed. 2 l., 12.2 cm.
31. [1985, 20 Feb.]: [Bianchi], Ruggero, Turin, Italy. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Hopes to see him next summer; fills him in on family's activities. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 21.4 cm.
32. 1985, 5 Mar.: Sheen, Martin, 1940- , New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Thanks him for his letter; heard about his "courageous fight" from the Becks; will begin a speaking tour on behalf of The Plowshare Movement before going to Paris; plans to contribute to The Other Theatre. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.
33. 1985, 10 Mar.: [Aaron], Joyce, 1935- , Cuttingsville, Vt. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Misses working with him but isn't ready to return. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 28.3 cm.
34. 1985, 12 Mar.: [Yockel], Jane, New York City. To Rob [Orchard], Cambridge, Mass.
    Explains the background of the Chaikin-Shepard collaboration "The War in Heaven" so that he can resolve American Repertory Theatre's disposition of funding; enjoyed seeing "Civil Wars"; recalls advice to Robert Wilson. Typed Letter Signed (copy). 2 p., 27.9 cm.
35. 1985, 13 Mar.: [Yahil-Wax], Miriam, Israel. To Joe [Chaikin] and Jean-Claude [van Itallie], New York City.
    Sends copies of articles; directed a satirical review. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 21.6 cm. Accompanied by press coverage of Chaikin's Israeli projects.
36. [1985, 22 Mar.]: Zelditch, Anne, Palo Alto. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Received copy of a review of Eileen Blumenthal's books; remembers his acting and her role in supporting the Open Theater; hears from Roy London and Karen Ludwig. Typed Letter. 2 p., 19.7 cm.
37. 1985, 7 May: [Dillon], John, Milwaukee. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Enjoyed attending his speech therapy class; finds "The War in Heaven" terrific. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28.1 cm.
38. 1985, 30 May: [Davidson], Gordon, Los Angeles. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Has enjoyed seeing him; has heard he'd like to live part of the year in California; offers to help. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 26.6 cm.
39. 1985, 17 June: [Casson], John, Ashton Under Lyne, England. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Arranges meeting in London. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 29.6 cm.
40. [1985], 17 June: [MacGrath], Leueen, London. To Joe [Chaikin].
    Looks forward to seeing him; invites him to use her apartment. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 20.2 cm.
41. 1985, 8 July: [Beckett], Sam, 1906- , Paris. To Joe [Chaikin].
    Hears good news of him. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 p., 10.3 cm. Note from Ruby [Cohn] at foot of card.
42. 1985, 10 July: [Chaikin], Ben. To Yus [Chaikin].
    Corrects errors in the family sections of Eileen Blumenthal's biography. Typed Letter (xerox). 2 p., 27.8 cm.
43. [1985, 5 Sept.]: [Chaikin], Joe, 1935- . To Sam [Beckett].
    Asks him to write. Autograph Note Signed (copy). 1 p., 27.9 cm. Accompanied by Autograph Letter Signed from Harvey [Perr] to Barry [Daniels], Sept. 9, 1985.
44. 1985, 16 Sept.: van Itallie, Jean-Claude, 1936-
    The Traveler. Typed Play (copy). 155 p., 27.9 cm. "... inspired by Joseph Chaikin."
45. 1985, Sept. 20: [Yankowitz], Susan, Tokyo, Japan. To Joe [Chaikin].
    Sends birthday greetings; recalls her first and last meetings with Julian Beck. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 29.6 cm.
46. 1985, 24 Sept.: [Horwitch], Norma, New Haven. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Congratulates him on his performance at a benefit for the Volunteer Stroke Rehabilitation Program. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 27.8 cm.
47. [1985, Sept.]: [Willinger, David]. To [Joseph Chaikin].
    Discusses reaction of Robbie McCauley and Adrienne Kennedy to "Solo Voyages." Autograph Note. 1 p., 17.6 cm. Accompanied by autograph Note Signed from Harvey Perr to Barry Daniels.
48. 1985, 17 Oct.: [Beckett], Sam, 1906- , Paris. To Joe [Chaikin].
    Is pleased he feels well; asks if he means Ghost Trio. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 10.1 cm.
49. [1985], 23 Nov.: [Kennedy], Adrienne, 1931- . To Joe [Chaikin].
    Sorry she missed him in Washington; enjoyed seeing her name in the papers again; doesn't want her plays excerpted again; considers him "one of the great 20th century theater people." Autograph Letter Signed. 4 p., 22.7 cm.
50. [1985, 20? Dec.]: Novak, David, San Diego. To Joe [Chaikin], San Diego.
    Reminds him of their meeting in Dallas 12 years ago; will be in his audience. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 22.8 cm.
51. 1986, 12 April: [Beckett], Sam, 1906- , Paris. To Joe Chaikin, New York City.
    Thanks him for telegram; had good news of him from Gregory Mosher. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 p., 10.5 cm.
52. [1986], 7 May: [Kennedy], Adrienne, 1931- , New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Explains his letters are packed away; Knopf will publish her childhood memoir. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 31.6 cm.
53. 1986, 19 May: [Swados], Liz, New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Notifies him that she doesn't save letters, lives in the present, that she loves him. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 27.8 cm.
54. 1986, 3 Oct.: [Leary], Martha, Toronto. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Finds "The Traveler" beautiful; describes her work; enjoys his letters. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 15.9 cm.
55. 1986, Dec.: Herman, Jerome Richard.
    Joseph Chaikkin: thematic investigations of life and death. Typed Document (xerox). viii, 238 p., 28 cm. Dissertation, Texas Tech University. Folder 1 of 2
56. 1986, Dec.: Herman, Jerome Richard.
    Joseph Chaikkin: thematic investigations of life and death. Typed Document (xerox). viii, 238 p., 28 cm. Dissertation, Texas Tech University. Folder 2 of 2.
57. [1986]: [Chaikin], J[oseph], 1935- . To Judith [Malina].
    Informs her she has changed him politically and theatrically; gives her his umbrella to protect her. Autograph Letter Signed (draft). 1 p., 18.3 cm.
58. 1987, 24 April and 1 May: Chaikin, Joe, 1935- . To Curtis Breuer, attorney, New York City.
    Seeking council regarding living will and provides copies (2) of undated will. Typed Documents. Unsigned. 7 p.
59. [1987, Oct.]: [Chaikin], Joe, 1935- , San Francisco. To Sam [Beckett], Paris.
    Informs him he's been working since his stroke; still wants to direct "Waiting for Godot"; asks permission. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm. In a holograph note on same page Beckett grants permission; asks him to check with Barney Rosset for performance rights.
60. [1988], 31 Mar.: [Gray], Spandling, 1941- , Los Angeles. To Joe [Chaikin], Los Angeles.
    Moved by seeing him perform, leaving him with "a sense of mystery"; relates dreaming about them discussing James Dean. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 28 cm.
61. 1988, 31 Oct.: [Shepard], Sam, 1943- , Scottsville, VA. To Joe [Chaikin], San Francisco.
    Approves title "Edge of the world"; is nostalgic about San Francisco. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 21.4 cm.
62. 1988, 21 Dec.: [Beckett], Sam, 1906- , Paris. To Joe [Chaikin].
    Thanks him for his "moving" cable; remembers him fondly. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 p., 9 cm.
63. 1988, Dolega, Dorota.
    The word in Chaikin's theater. Typed Manuscript (copy). 69 [i.e. 71] p., 33 cm. Thesis at University of Gdansk.
64. 1989, 19 Mar.: [Adler], Stella, 1902- , New York City. To Joseph [Chaikin], New York City.
    Responds to his card; feels his vision has always been clear. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 26.6 cm.
65. 1989, April: Beckett, Sam, 1906-
    What is the word. Typed Poem Signed. 1 p., 29.5 cm. Inscribed to Joe Chaikin.
66. 1989, 8 Sept.: D'Arms, Ted. To Joe [Chaikin].
    Sends portrait in appreciation of his contribution to theater. Autograph Note Signed. 1 l., 22.3 cm. Written on verso of card printing a D'Arms photograph.
67. 1989, 8 Oct.: [Shepard], Sam, 1943- , Scottsville, Va. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Gives approval for him to direct "Tooth of Crime"; discusses use of music. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 24.1 cm
68. [1989, 27 Nov.]: [Redgrave], Vanessa, 1937- , New York City. To Jo [Chaikin], New York City.
    Suggests he read a poem by Osip Mandelstamm; he can sit in front row; will telephone. Autograph Card Signed. 2 p., 7.6 cm.
69. 1989, 11 Dec.: [Redgrave], Vanessa, 1937- , New York City. To Jo [Chaikin].
    Thanks him for appearing in "The Wall Breaks." Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 27.9 cm. Accompanied by copy of Yevtushenko's "Fragile Petals of the Flame."
70. [1989, Dec.]: [Laing], Jutta. To Joe [Chaikin].
    Invites him to R.D. Laing's memorial service and party. Autograph Note Signed. 1 l., 9.8 cm. Written on verso of printed announcement.
71. 1990, 29 June: [Coyden], Margaret, New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Apologizes for failing to name him while extemporizing about Ryszard Cieslak; acknowledges his place in American theater. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 27.9 cm.
72. 1990, 19 July: [Grotowski], Jerzy, 1933- , New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.
    Sends "love and admiration"; feels he hasn't betrayed his values. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 29.6 cm.

Box 11: Joseph Chaikin papers, Subseries 1K: Papers: Chronological: Undated
Return to Joseph Chaikin papers