Arthur T. Birsh, Playbill Chairman Emeritus, Has Died at 88
Mr. Birsh began working for Playbill in 1961 as manager of the magazine’s printing plant; by 1973 he had become the sole proprietor of the…
Category: Obituaries
Jim Steinman, Pop-Rock Hitmaker Responsible for Bat Out of Hell and Broadway’s Dance of the Vampires, Dies at 73
Obituaries Jim Steinman, Pop-Rock Hitmaker Responsible for Bat Out of Hell and Broadway’s Dance of the Vampires, Dies at 73 The composer’s works include…
Tony and Oscar-Winning Costume Designer Anthony Powell Dies at 85
The English designer recreated everything from Spanish conquistadors to silent film stars for Hollywood and Broadway. Anthony Powell, the costume designer responsible for dressing Broadway’s…
Tony and Olivier Nominee Paul Ritter Dies at 54
Mr. Ritter, known for his work in the U.K. TV series Friday Night Dinner, made his Broadway debut in The Norman Conquests. Stage and screen…
Tony Nominee William ‘Biff’ McGuire Dies at 94
The twice-nominated actor’s career spanned seven decades with roles on stage and screen. Two-time Tony-nominated actor William “Biff” McGuire has died at the age of…
3-Time Tony-Nominated Playwright Arthur Kopit Dies at 83
Best remembered for his Pulitzer finalist plays Indians and Wings, Kopit also penned the book to the 1982 musical Nine. Broadway playwright Arthur Kopit passed…
Tony-Winning Lighting Designer Pat Collins Dies at 88
The theatre artist worked on dozens of productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional and international theatres. Tony-winning lighting designer Pat Collins, whose work was…
Broadway Alum and Emmy Winner Jessica Walter Dies at 80
The star appeared in shows like Anything Goes and Rumors. Jessica Walter, the Emmy-winning performer who made several Broadway appearances throughout her career, died March…
Paul Foster, Playwright and La MaMa Co-Founder, Dies at 89
Mr. Foster’s works include Tom Paine, Elizabeth 1, and Satyricon. Paul Foster, a playwright and founding member of La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, died March…
Douglas Turner Ward, Tony-Honored Co-Founder of Negro Ensemble Company, Dies at 90
Obituaries Douglas Turner Ward, Tony-Honored Co-Founder of Negro Ensemble Company, Dies at 90 Mr. Ward’s credits spanned directing (including the original production of A…
Broadway Producer and General Manager Gary Gunas Dies at 73
Mr. Gunas was also featured in the Playbill series Old Show Queens with his husband, playwright and record producer Bill Rosenfield. Theatre producer Gary Gunas,…
Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O’Hara Pay Tribute to Late Mentor and Teacher Florence Birdwell
Obituaries Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O’Hara Pay Tribute to Late Mentor and Teacher Florence Birdwell Ms. Birdwell, a professor of voice at Oklahoma City…
In the News: Theatre District Restaurateur Joe Allen Dies at 87, Dear Evan Hansen Launches 3rd Annual Essay Challenge, More
Industry News In the News: Theatre District Restaurateur Joe Allen Dies at 87, Dear Evan Hansen Launches 3rd Annual Essay Challenge, More Joe Allen’s…
Tony and Oscar Winner Christopher Plummer, Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Dies at 91
Obituaries Tony and Oscar Winner Christopher Plummer, Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Dies at 91 The Canadian-born Shakespearean actor won Tony…
Tony Winner Hal Holbrook Dies at 95
The Mark Twain Tonight! creator was known for his wide-ranging work on stage and screen. Hal Holbrook, the distinguished performer who toured tirelessly off and…
The Theatre Community Remembers the Life and Legacy of Cicely Tyson
Artists from the stage and screen took to social media to share their memories of the performer, who died January 28 at 96. Tony winner…
Honoring Cicely Tyson With a Look Back at Her Stage Highlights
The Tony-winning star, known for her distinguished stage and film career, died January 28. As previously reported, Cicely Tyson, the actor and Civil Rights icon…
Cicely Tyson, Tony-Winning Star of The Trip to Bountiful and More, Is Dead at 96
Obituaries Cicely Tyson, Tony-Winning Star of The Trip to Bountiful and More, Is Dead at 96 On screen, Ms. Tyson is remembered for acclaimed…
2-Time Tony-Winning Choreographer Bob Avian Dies at 83
Also a director and producer, Mr. Avian co-choreographed the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning A Chorus Line with Michael Bennett. Choreographer, producer, and director Bob Avian,…
Philip J. Smith, Former Chair and Co-CEO of The Shubert Organization, Dies at 89
Obituaries Philip J. Smith, Former Chair and Co-CEO of The Shubert Organization, Dies at 89 Mr. Smith announced his retirement in June 2020, following…
Tony-Winning Broadway Producer Martin Markinson Dies at 89
The theatre maker worked on Torch Song Trilogy, The Gathering, and Honeymoon in Vegas. Producer Martin Markinson, who won a Tony Award in 1983 for…
The Gospel at Colonus Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Breuer Dies at 83
The innovative theatre director spent most of his time subverting industry constructs. Theatre director Lee Breuer, who spent most of his time creating new works…
Josh Groban Remembers Late Vocal Coach David Romano
Part of the original company of The Phantom of the Opera, Mr. Romano was also a respected vocal coach to artists in all fields of…
In Memoriam: A Look at the Theatre Artists We Lost in 2020
Playbill remembers the actors, directors, playwrights, and other familiar faces of the stage who died this year. As a year marked by devastation across all…
Tony-Winning Producer Roger Berlind Dies at 90
Mr. Berlind earned a remarkable 25 Tony Awards, from the original 1980 production of Amadeus through the 2019 revival of Oklahoma!. Producer Roger Berlind, who…
Stage and Screen Actor Lee Wallace Dead at 90
The performer (and on-screen mayor) appeared on Broadway in The Cemetery Club, The Apple Doesn’t Fall…, and more. Lee Wallace, a veteran of the stage…
