TYPED LETTER SIGNED by the American Theater Producer ROGER L. STEVENS, as Chairman of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, responding to Jean Dalrymple's request for his thoughts on a book she is compiling.

New York, October 30, 1978., 1978.. Fine. - Over 110 words typed on 11 inch high by 8-1/4 inch wide creamy white "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" stationery with the center's logo and title printed in teal & green at the top. Responding to his friend, City Center producer Jean Dalrymple's letter, Stevens apologizes for the delay in replying "In cleaning up my desk after having neglected it for awhile due to some travelling and putting together several plays, I came across your letter of August 9th...." Stevens continues "I am not really very knowledgeable about music so probably would not have had any worthwhile thoughts for the book you are compiling...." Signed "Roger". Folded for mailing, else fine.

Roger L. Stevens [1910-1998] was an American theatrical producer, arts administrator and real estate executive. He was the founding chairman of both the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts [1961] and the National Endowment for the Arts [1965]. He produced more than a hundred plays and musicals over his career, including "West Side Story", "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "Bus Stop". He became known for introducing plays by such adventurous writers as Harold Pinter, Arthur Kopit and Tom Stoppard.

Jean Dalrymple (1902-1998) was the dynamic producer and director of theater and light-opera at Manhattan's City Center. Dalrymple began her career in vaudeville, appearing with James Cagney and Cary Grant in the early 1930s. She was a founding member of the American Theatre Wing, the theatre service organization. She worked over the years as a personal manager for the likes of Leopold Stokowski, Mary Martin, Jose Iturbi, Andre Kostelanetz, Nathan Milstein, and Lily Pons. She began her work at City Center with its founding in 1943, serving as a board member and publicist. Her productions there from the 1940s through the 1960s were a revitalizing influence on the whole New York theatre scene. In 1951, Jean Dalrymple married Major-General Philip deWitt Ginder, commander of the Thunderbirds in Korea. She was a friend to Presidents and entertainment personalities throughout the world.