Jo Mielziner
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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, Gypsy: A Musical Fable, 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 the United 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 artist Edward Hopper, who is said to have modeled his well-known painting Early Sunday Morning after Mielziner's set for Elmer Rice's play Street Scene, produced in 1929.
Mielziner co-designed the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center with architect Eero Saarinen. He resided for many years at The Dakota and can be seen working in his studio in an exterior shot in the film Rosemary's Baby.
[edit] Family
Parents were portrait artist Leo Mielziner, Sr.(December 7, 1868 - August 11, 1935), the son of a rabbi, and Ella Lane McKenna Friend (March 18, 1873 – February 2, 1968). They were married October 20, 1896 in Boston, Massachusetts. Leo, Sr. was born in NYC and died in Truro, Massachsetts, Ella was born in Manchester, New Hampshire of Anglo-Irish descent and was a Catholic, she died in NYC. His older brother was actor and director Kenneth MacKenna. Jo was married to Jean Elizabeth MacIntyre (July 16, 1911 - November 1993) on May 26, 1938 and later to Annie Laurie Jacques.
The brothers collaborated on the 1936 play Co-respondent Unknown produced by both and directed by Kenneth with sets by Jo. It ran for 121 performances at the Ritz Theatre from February 11, 1936 to May 1936.
[edit] External links
- Jo Mielziner at the Internet Broadway Database
- Jo Mielziner at the Internet Movie Database
- N. Y. Public Library Mielziner collection
- Tony Awards info
- Jo Mielziner book
- Time magazine Jo Mielziner article
- Charles Wright review of Mielziner book
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