The Connection

New York: Grove Press, Inc / London: Evergreen Books Ltd, (1960). First edition. 8vo. Illustrated with b/w photographs by John E. Wulp from the original Living Theater stage production. 96 pp. Publisher's photo-illustrated wrappers. Light rubbing to covers First edition, signed ("Jack Gelber") on the half-title of this groundbreaking and controversial work, a play-within-a-play about heroin-addicted jazz musicians waiting for their score. Performances featured live jazz music by Freddie Redd. The Connection premiered off-Broadway on July 15, 1959, at the Living Theater, directed by Judith Malina. It won the Village Voice Obie Awards for Best New Play, Best Production, and Best Actor (Warren Finnerty in the role of Leach). The play was adapted to film in 1961 by Shirley Clarke, featuring the Freddie Redd Quartet with Jackie McLean on alto