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TLS signed “Irving,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, February 6, 1974. Letter to award-winning lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner, in full: “I'm sorry to have waited so long with my thanks for your nice holiday message. Frankly, I've had one of my ‘let-downs’ and it took me longer to snap out of this one. However, I feel much better now. I was deeply touched by your note and thank you for your thoughtfulness. I haven't had a chance to see ‘Gigi.’ I understand it's doing well, but is not the blockbuster that I rooted and hoped for, but you seem to keep going. I was interested and pleased with the news about your future plans, especially the show you are doing with Leonard Bernstein. He is one composer who not alone can read, write and conduct music, but can write a good tune. The man who wrote the lyrics for ‘My Fair Lady’ and the guy who wrote the music for ‘West Side Story’ is a pretty good combination. Again many thanks for your note and my best to you.” In fine condition.
Berlin’s reference to Lerner’s “future plans” with Bernstein was the 1976 musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The musical examined the establishment of the White House and its occupants from 1800 to 1900. Primarily focusing on race relations, the story depicted (among other incidents) Thomas Jefferson's then-alleged affair with a black slave, James Monroe's refusal to halt slavery in Washington, the aftermath of the American Civil War, and Andrew Johnson's impeachment. In spite of the production’s creative power, the musical was considered to be a legendary Broadway flop, running only seven performances. It was Bernstein's last original score for Broadway.
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