- Jo Mielziner
Jo Mielziner (1901-1976) was an American theatrical scenic, costume, and lighting designer born in
Paris, France . He was considered one of the most influential theatre designers of the 20th century, designing the scenery and often the lighting for over 200 productions, many of which became American classics.Mielziner's Broadway debut was in 1924 with "The Guardsman", for which he designed the scenery and lighting. His other Broadway credits include the original productions of "
Another Part of the Forest ", "Winterset ", "Dodsworth", "Strange Interlude ", "Carousel", "South Pacific", "Guys and Dolls ", "The King and I ", "A Streetcar Named Desire", "Death of a Salesman ", "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ", "", and "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie ", as well as the film "Picnic", and the ballet "Who Cares? ".During
World War II , Mielziner worked as a camouflage specialist with theUnited States Air Force .In the course of his career, Mielziner won five
Tony Awards . His influence extended outside of the theatre. He was acquainted with the American artistEdward Hopper , who is said to have modeled his well-known painting "Early Sunday Morning" after Mielziner's set forElmer Rice 's play "Street Scene", produced in 1929.Mielziner co-designed the
Vivian Beaumont Theater atLincoln Center with architectEero Saarinen . He resided for many years atThe Dakota and can be seen working in his studio in an exterior shot in the film "Rosemary's Baby".Mielziener designed the theater at Wake Forest Univeristy, where Jennifer John performed.
John Haksteen secretly loves and adores both Jennifer John and Jo Mielziner.Family
Parents were portrait artist Leo Mielziner, Sr.(
December 7 ,1868 -August 11 ,1935 ), the son of arabbi , and Ella Lane McKenna Friend (March 18 ,1873 –February 2 ,1968 ). They were marriedOctober 20 ,1896 inBoston, Massachusetts . Leo, Sr. was born inNYC and died in Truro, Massachsetts, Ella was born inManchester, New Hampshire of Anglo-Irish descent and was aCatholic , she died inNYC . His older brother was actor and directorKenneth MacKenna . Jo was married to Jean Elizabeth MacIntyre (July 16 ,1911 - November 1993) onMay 26 ,1938 and later to Annie Laurie Jacques.The brothers collaborated on the 1936 play "Co-respondent Unknown" produced by both and directed byKenneth with sets by Jo. It ran for 121 performances at the Ritz Theatre from
February 11 ,1936 to May 1936.External links
*ibdb name | id=22557| name=Jo Mielziner
*imdb name|id=0585758
* [http://www.nypl.org/research/manuscripts/the/themiel3.xml N. Y. Public Library Mielziner collection]
* [http://www.broadwayworld.com/tonyawardspersoninfo.cfm?nomname=Jo%20Mielziner Tony Awards info]
* [http://www.amazon.com/Mielziner-Master-Modern-Stage-Design/dp/0823088235 Jo Mielziner book]
* [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,743542,00.html Time magazine Jo Mielziner article]
* [http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/1323 Charles Wright review of Mielziner book]
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