BLACKWELL FAMILY LUCY STONE [[handwriting in upper right hand corner]] SUBJ. FILE: LUCY STONE corresp. (F)FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION 1734 NEW YORK AVENUE NW. WASHINGTON, D. C. F. C. HARRINGTON COMMINSIONER OF WORK PROJECTS July 18,1939 Mrs. Edna L. Stantial 21 Ashmont Street Melrose, Massachusetts My dear Mrs. Stantial: I want to thank you for your interest in Federal Theatre as expressed by your communication of June 20, 1939 to Miss Brooks. I regret that the struggle for the continuance of the Project so absorbed my eergies that I have not been able to make an earlier acknowledgement. It was such expressions of approval and faith, however, which enabled us in Washington to make the stand we did; and which make it evident that a project so loyally backed by the informed members of the public cannot be completely killed. There must soon be a resurgence of Federal Theatre in some form. When that occurs, I know you will again lend the strength of your support. Until it occurs, I hope you will continue to work for some such next step. Sincerely, Hallie Flanagan, Director Federal Theatre ProjectFederal Theatre Project - [Va?] March 8, 1939 Mrs. M. W. P. etc Dear Mrs. Park, I have your letter of March [9th?] and am forwarding you, under separate mail, a copy of the revised version of "Lucy Stone." After a long conference with Mr. Laney and Miss Kremer, we decided that the play would be helped considerably by the exclusion of Scene Five, which takes place in Garrison's home. I feel that the scene is the low point of the play and, coming as it does in the center of the script, would provide a drag upon the production. Furthermore, by excluding this scene we can go directly from the first meeting of Lucy and Henry, to Henry's appearance at Lucy's farm. Of course, if you object to this change, I will see what can be done with Mr. Mack. In the meantime, the play has been approved by Mr. Laney and myself but, unfortunately, was rejected by Mr. Mack on the basis of the preliminary revised version. Mr. Laney is sending Mr. Mack the latest revised version with a strong letter recommending the script for production. I don't know whether Mr. Mack's rejection of the script is basedThe Eastland The Congress Square Portland , Me. on the merits of the play or on his dislike for heading his present repertory scheduler. (?) In the mean time, please don't be too much disturbed by this development, as the whole thing may be straightened out within the next week. I shall keep you informed. I am personally very much taken with the ideas and the conception of "Lucy Stone," and will do everything in my power to further its production. Sincerely yours, Nathaniel Lernier Burman Ben Rusart, Casting Director Play Department. (Note - the question mark in the 2nd line in this page is mine. Miss Kremer is Blanding Sloan's assistant.)WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION FEDERAL THEATRE PROJECT HALLIE FLANAGAN, DIRECTOR J. HOWARD MILLER. DEPUTY DIRECTOR NATIONAL SERVICE BUREAU 1697 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY TELEPHONE: COLUMBUS 5-5364 EMMET LAVERY, DIRECTOR IRWIN A. RUBINSTEIN, BUSINESS MANAGER June 30, 1939 Mrs. Edna Stantial 21 Ashmont Street Melrose, Massachusetts Dear Mrs. Stantial: Thank you very much for your letter of June 20 and for the Boston University Alumni Magazine which I found extremely interesting. I particularly want to thank you for the way in which you, Mrs. Park and Miss Blackwell rallied to the support of Federal Theatre during its present crisis. I had lunch with Mrs. Park yesterday and she told me that she had written Mrs. Carry Chapman Catt requesting that the support of women's organizations be pledged to the continuance of Federal Theatre. Mrs. Park also told me of the many letters and telegrams she had sent to Congressmen and Senators urging that they vote for the continuance of Federal Theatre and it is a source of much gratification that so many individuals and organizations have rallied to our support. It was a great pleasure to me to be present at the opening of Lucy Stone and I hope, should you have occasion to visit New York, you will allow me to make arrangements for you to see the work of the New York City Federal Theatre Project. With all good wishes to you, I am Sincerely, Marion Brooks Marion Brooks, Secretary Office of National Director