The program is free to the public and begins at 6 PM. The event is part of the series of programs celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Library’s Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Boris Aronson (1900-1980) is considered one of the most influential theatre designers in history. Born in Kiev, he was educated in Paris and Berlin, and, in 1923, wrote a book about the artist Marc Chagall. He immigrated to the United States in 1923 and began designing sets for New York’s Jewish theatres, first with the experimental Unser Theater and later with the Yiddish Arts Theater. Among his theories about stage design were that the set should permit varied movement; each scene should contain the mood of the whole play; and that the setting should be beautiful in its own right.

He joined the Group Theater, where he designed for such plays as Awake and Sing!, Paradise Lost and The Gentle People. In 1950 he was awarded the first of eight Tony Awards for Season in the Sun. His other Tonys were given for The Rose Tattoo, The Country Girl, Cabaret, Zorba, Company, Follies and Pacific Overtures.

Hal Prince and Lisa Aronson were collaboraters with the designer.

For further information about the program, telephone (212) 642-0142 or visit the Library’s website at www.nypl.org. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center is located on the Lincoln Center campus at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza.