The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Current Exhibitions

Current  |  Upcoming  |  Past  |  Online

Be sure to check library hours and holidays for important information.

Exhibition Hours: Tues, Wed & Fri: 11 to 6; Mon, Thurs: 12 to 8; Sat: 10 to 6

Focus on the '70s: The Fabulous Photography of Kenn Duncan
Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery
From Wednesday, July 30, 2008 to Saturday, October 25, 2008

In the 1970s and early 1980s world of photography, Kenn Duncan was a name to be reckoned with. Duncan was a principal photographer for the entertainment magazine After Dark and for Dance Magazine, which chronicled the world of dance and choreography. Photographs by Kenn Duncan also appeared in Vogue,Harper’s Bazaar,Life,Time, and Newsweek. In addition, he photographed a dozen Broadway shows, including Hair, Applause, The Elephant Man, and Sophisticated Ladies, and published three volumes of his own photographs: Red Shoes, Nudes, and More Nudes. This retrospective of his 20-year career includes his iconic images of Mikhail Baryshnikov, Angela Lansbury, Rudolf Nureyev, Bette Midler, and the cast of Hair, as well as selections from his nudes and his work with hundreds of celebrities. Duncan’s complete archive was acquired by the Library in 2003 and is part of the Billy Rose Theatre Division.


"Take Me Out to the Ball Game": 100 Years of Music, Musicians, and the National Pastime
Vincent Astor Gallery
From Friday, July 11, 2008 to Friday, October 31, 2008

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

An exhibition for the whole family! To celebrate the 100th anniversary of baseball theme songs, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts presents a tribute to the sport and the musicians who love it, organized around the lyrics -- beginning with a history of the song and its creators. "Take me out with the crowd" focuses on composers who were fans and wrote about the game, among them Charles Ives and William Schuman. "Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack" looks at baseball and promotion via vaudeville and the musical stage, as well as trading cards. "Root for the Home Team" features baseball musicians, among them Jane Jarvis, long-time organist for the New York Mets, and vocalists of the national anthem. The exhibition is based on New York Public Library collections, but includes unique items from the private collection of Andy Strasberg.

Image: Sheet music for "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," as published in 1908. The featured performer is Nora Bayes. Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts