The New York Public Library (NYPL) for the Performing Arts has announced an exhibition featuring the Broadway photos of Friedman-Abeles. “Reanimating Theater: The Photography of Friedman-Abeles” will be displayed from March 15 through Sept. 25 at the library located in Lincoln Center. The exhibition will feature a selection of lenticular prints and never-before-seen color photographs.
Founded in 1954 by Joseph Abeles and Leo Friedman, the studio captured production photographs of hundreds of Broadway shows, including the original “West Side Story” in 1957, 1960’s “Camelot,” 1960’s “Bye Bye Birdie” and 1970’s “Purlie.” A third collaborator, Sy Friedman (of no relation to Leo), joined the firm in 1961, prior to its early-1970s dissolution.
Many of the photographs included in the exhibition will be lenticular prints. Lenticular images have been printed onto a special lens material, and when viewed, appear to be moving. “Reanimating Theater” will offer a glimpse of what the physical movements looked like in these historical productions.
“Reanimating Theater” is curated by Doug Reside, Lewis and Dorothy Cullman Curator of the NYPL for the Performing Arts’ Billy Rose Theatre Division.
