NYU's Fales Library & Special Collections Acquires Bradshaw Smith's Video Collection

The Fales Library and Special Collections at New York University announced today that Bradshaw Smith's video collection of more than 6,100 hours of cabaret and Broadway theater performances has been donated to the library by his estate. Smith, a former cabaret artist, shot close to three decades of New York theatre events from openings and press events to concerts and one-nighters.

"Bradshaw Smith knew the New York cabaret scene from the inside out," said Marvin J. Taylor, director of Fales. "Not only was he a successful performer, winning a 1987 MAC Award for Best Male Vocalist, but also he was the premier archivist of the scene."

Smith went behind the camera and began the cable television show, Cabaret Beat, which eventually morphed into Broadway Beat, a half-hour television program that covered theatre, music and performers. With his colleague, interviewer Richard Ridge, he was a fixture on Broadway's red carpet. Smith caught on camera interviews with theatre artists, scenes in rehearsal halls and at opening nights, events on Broadway and Off-Broadway, at awards ceremonies and in cabaret halls.

"Brad taped everyone-in both the big rooms and the dives-from Nancy Lamott and Andrea Marcovici to Ruby Rims and The Lady Bunny," continued Taylor. "He understood that the breadth of cabaret in New York City was unique in the world. Through his vision, we have documentation of the last thirty years of performances-no doubt the largest and most comprehensive collection about cabaret."

Smith passed away on January 16, 2012, following a sudden and severe stroke. He was 56. Smith's brother, Robert, along with friends, helped sort and catalog the video tapes before donating them.

"We feel relieved that Brad's video collection is now in the hands of a competent archivist and excited that the material will be developed and promoted in a manner consistent with his vision," said his brother, Robert Smith, executor of the estate. "I'm certain he would be very proud that his collection of New York City cabaret and theater now resides at the Fales Library at NYU."

Fales will be seeking funds to help preserve this amazing legacy of New York cabaret and American popular song so it can be made available for research. For additional information on the collection, please contact Brent Phillips, Media Specialist and Processing Archivist at Fales Library, 212-998-2593 or brent.phillips@nyu.edu