NEW YORK—The New York Public Library opened its doors today for a new exhibit honoring famed old-time actress, Katharine Hepburn.
The exhibit, Katharine Hepburn: In Her Own Files, is filled with photos of her well-known roles and displays several of Hepburn’s play transcripts, candid backstage photos, and rehearsal notes.
Mary Clarke, 66, from San Francisco grew up watching Hepburn’s movies. She visited the exhibition with her friend Brenda the morning of its opening.
“She was just so classy and so funny,” Clarke said. “We watched her playing in the movies going through the years. These are all names we grew up with.”
Clarke said she admired Hepburn’s unique style and free spirit displayed through the years. “She wasn’t the epitome of the femme fatale, but she had her own gleam. I can't remember ever walking out of the theater thinking she played a big loser.”
Growing up admiring great Broadway actresses including Lynn Fontanne and Helen Hayes, Hepburn began her acting career on the stage which eventually led to her tremendous success in Hollywood.
The exhibit gives admirers of the late Hepburn insight into the stages of her triumphant career. The displays are divided into four sections: the frustrating early years, her return to Broadway, her commitment to Shakespeare, and her later years.
Included are also annotated vocal exercises and rehearsal notes—a real for those who grew up watching her performances.
The exhibition runs until October 10, 2009 and is shown at the Vincent Astor Gallery at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
