Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Most Famous Barber Chair Gets A Home.

For people who truly love musical theater, the name Al Hirschfeld is legendary. Even if you haven't heard of Al, you know his work. It's everywhere. Jim considers him one of, if not, the finest artist of the 20th century. But his field was pen and ink. And his world was the theater.

Louise, his widow, is a dear friend and a wonderful human being. When we visited there, after she saw Zero Hour, she let him sit in Al's famous barber chair, which is where he worked every day, against the window, on the upper floor of their townhouse on 95th street.

Well, now that she's remarried, she's moving on. And in doing so, has donated Al's chair and drawing table -- he kept the same one since the beginning. And it's grooved with all the times he cut the drawing paper and boards. You might remember our visit:



We arrive at Lincoln Center.

Standing in front of Lincoln Center.

Louise Hirschfeld Cullman being interviewed by Playbill.

Jim Brochu with philanthropist, Lewis Cullman.

Jim chats with Eli Wallach, talking about working with Zero in Rhinoceros. 

Jim Brochu, Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson.

Jacqueline Z. Davis with anoher official with the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Installation of Al Hirschfeld's famous barber chair.
He sat in it every day and drew his theater caricatures,
capturing the entire 20th century in pen and ink.

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