New York Public Library to Host Noël Coward Exhibition in 2012

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center and the Noël Coward Foundation are delighted to announce that Star Quality: The World of Noël Coward, a major exhibition focusing on Coward as playwright; composer; director; stage, screen, and cabaret performer; and, international celebrity, will run March 12th to June 9th, 2012 in the Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

With unparalleled access to the Coward Archives and drawing on public and private collections in Europe and the US as well as his homes in Switzerland and Jamaica, Star Quality features photographs, programs, scripts, costumes, personal effects, memorabilia, and other objects, many previously unseen; as well as audio and video components.

The Lincoln Center presentation of Star Quality is an expanded version of an exhibition first seen at Ten Chimneys in Wisconsin, and then at London's National Theatre; San Francisco's Museum of Performance & Design; and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles.

Star Quality, in its New York incarnation, represents the most comprehensive exhibition on Noël Coward ever assembled including rare material from the collections of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

In addition, a series of related public and educational programs will be presented city wide, in conjunction with the exhibition.

"The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is honored to be hosting this wonderful exhibit with the Noël Coward Foundation," said Jacqueline Z. Davis, Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. "Whether on stage or screen, Noël Coward was one of the true icons of the performing arts in the 20th century. I cannot think of a better location to honor Sir Noël and his legendary career than The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts."

On the announcement, Alan Brodie, Chair of the Noel Coward Foundation, said, "Noël Coward had a very special relationship with New York City, which was home to many of his great successes. It is fitting that the most comprehensive exhibition ever created about Coward be hosted by The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in the heart of the city he adored."

Star Quality: The World of Noël Coward is presented by The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Noël Coward Foundation and in collaboration with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Museum of Performance & Design, San Francisco.

Noël Coward is widely known as the creator of a number of stage classics and as the composer of songs such as "I'll See You Again," "Mad About the Boy" and "Mad Dogs and Englishmen." Recent productions of "Present Laughter," "Blithe Spirit" and "Brief Encounter" on Broadway together with a number of new publications and recordings have shown that the work of ‘The Master' seem particularly appealing to today's generation. Later this year, a Pre Broadway production of "Private Lives" starring Kim Cattrall and directed by Sir Richard Eyre opens in Toronto following a hugely successful run in London.

Further information will be released later in the year.

Photo Credit: Norman Parkinson Archive (top); Vandamm Studio (middle, bottom).