PAPA: A PLAY BASED ON THE LEGENDARY LIVES OF ERNEST HEMINGWAY - ORIGINAL PLAY SCRIPT FOR THE ONE-MAN, OFF-BROADWAY PLAY, WITH TLS AND ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM FOR THE PREMIERE AT THE COLONY THEATER

Fort Lauderdale, FL: S.i., 1984. First Edition. Self-published draft of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist's play, set in Hemingway's home in Cuba during the 1950's. In addition to working for South Florida's Sun Sentinel, de Groot was also a member of the award-winning team that covered the Kent State shootings in 1970. de Groot's depiction of Hemingway relied more on "the man and his exploits" than his literary legacy, and the play was a result of his life-long fascination with the author. The play premiered at the Colony Theater in Miami Beach in 1987, starring veteran Miami-based actor William Hindman as Hemingway. Ten years later the play ran for 73 performances at the Douglas Fairbanks Theater in New York, directed by John Henry Davis and starring Len Cariou as Hemingway. Rare; we find no copies for sale in the trade, and while OCLC notes 2 later editions of the play (1988, by Lime Tree Productions, and 1989, by the Hemingway Western Studies Center, Boise State University), this self-published edition is not found in the holdings of any member institution. Quarto; printed sheets (rectos only), comb-bound into illustrated card wrappers; [vi],87,[8]pp. Inscribed by de Groot to a rare bookseller on the title page and dated 1988. Holograph date of "Jan.'88" in ink to upper right corner of title page and front wrapper, else Fine. Laid in is a 1-page TLS from de Groot to the recipient, discussing rights to the play, changes to the script, and the play's premiere in Miami, FL, along with an inquiry regarding signed Hemingway books for sale. Together with the original mailing envelope and a Fine copy of the 8pp program for the play's premiere at the Colony Theater in Miami Beach, FL.