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Obituaries
Obituaries of theatre professionals who have enriched the stage.
Obituaries
Tony and Olivier Nominee Paul Ritter Dies at 54
By Andrew Gans | 04/06/2021
Mr. Ritter, known for his work in the U.K. TV series
Friday Night Dinner,
made his Broadway debut in
The Norman Conquests.
Obituaries
Tony Nominee William 'Biff' McGuire Dies at 94
By Talaura Harms | 04/05/2021
The twice-nominated actor's career spanned seven decades with roles on stage and screen.
Obituaries
3-Time Tony-Nominated Playwright Arthur Kopit Dies at 83
By Logan Culwell-Block | 04/05/2021
Best remembered for his Pulitzer finalist plays
Indians
and
Wings
, Kopit also penned the book to the 1982 musical
Nine
.
Obituaries
Tony-Winning Lighting Designer Pat Collins Dies at 88
By Dan Meyer | 04/01/2021
The theatre artist worked on dozens of productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional and international theatres.
Obituaries
Broadway Alum and Emmy Winner Jessica Walter Dies at 80
By Dan Meyer | 03/25/2021
The star appeared in shows like
Anything Goes
and
Rumors
.
Obituaries
Paul Foster, Playwright and La MaMa Co-Founder, Dies at 89
By Dan Meyer | 03/25/2021
Mr. Foster’s works include
Tom Paine
,
Elizabeth 1
, and
Satyricon
.
Obituaries
Douglas Turner Ward, Tony-Honored Co-Founder of Negro Ensemble Company, Dies at 90
By Ryan McPhee | 02/23/2021
Mr. Ward’s credits spanned directing (including the original production of
A Soldier’s Play
), writing, and performing.
Obituaries
Broadway Producer and General Manager Gary Gunas Dies at 73
By Andrew Gans | 02/23/2021
Mr. Gunas was also featured in the Playbill series
Old Show Queens
with his husband, playwright and record producer Bill Rosenfield.
Obituaries
Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O’Hara Pay Tribute to Late Mentor and Teacher Florence Birdwell
By Dan Meyer | 02/16/2021
Ms. Birdwell, a professor of voice at Oklahoma City University, passed away recently.
Industry News
In the News: Theatre District Restaurateur Joe Allen Dies at 87,
Dear Evan Hansen
Launches 3rd Annual Essay Challenge, More
By Talaura Harms | 02/08/2021
Joe Allen's namesake restaurant, as well as his Orso and Bar Centrale, are among Times Square's most popular hangouts for theatre folk.
Obituaries
Tony and Oscar Winner Christopher Plummer, Captain Von Trapp in
The Sound of Music,
Dies at 91
By Andrew Gans | 02/05/2021
The Canadian-born Shakespearean actor won Tony Awards for his performances in
Cyrano
and
Barrymore.
Obituaries
Tony Winner Hal Holbrook Dies at 95
By Robert Viagas | 02/02/2021
The
Mark Twain Tonight!
creator was known for his wide-ranging work on stage and screen.
Obituaries
The Theatre Community Remembers the Life and Legacy of Cicely Tyson
By Kerri Kearse, Felicia Fitzpatrick | 01/29/2021
Artists from the stage and screen took to social media to share their memories of the performer, who died January 28 at 96.
Photo Features
Honoring Cicely Tyson With a Look Back at Her Stage Highlights
By Marc J. Franklin | 01/29/2021
The Tony-winning star, known for her distinguished stage and film career, died January 28.
Obituaries
Cicely Tyson, Tony-Winning Star of
The Trip to Bountiful
and More, Is Dead at 96
By Robert Viagas | 01/28/2021
On screen, Ms. Tyson is remembered for acclaimed performances in such works as
Sounder, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Roots
, and
How to Get Away With Murder
.
Obituaries
2-Time Tony-Winning Choreographer Bob Avian Dies at 83
By Andrew Gans | 01/22/2021
Also a director and producer, Mr. Avian co-choreographed the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning
A Chorus Line
with Michael Bennett.
Obituaries
Philip J. Smith, Former Chair and Co-CEO of The Shubert Organization, Dies at 89
By Robert Simonson, Ryan McPhee | 01/15/2021
Mr. Smith announced his retirement in June 2020, following a 63-year career in the theatre industry.
Obituaries
Tony-Winning Broadway Producer Martin Markinson Dies at 89
By Dan Meyer | 01/11/2021
The theatre maker worked on
Torch Song Trilogy
,
The Gathering
, and
Honeymoon in Vegas
.
Obituaries
The Gospel at Colonus
Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lee Breuer Dies at 83
By Dan Meyer | 01/05/2021
The innovative theatre director spent most of his time subverting industry constructs.
Obituaries
In Memoriam: A Look at the Theatre Artists We Lost in 2020
By Ryan McPhee | 01/04/2021
Playbill remembers the actors, directors, playwrights, and other familiar faces of the stage who died this year.
Playbill Universe
Josh Groban Remembers Late Vocal Coach David Romano
By Andrew Gans | 12/30/2020
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 entertainment.
Obituaries
Tony-Winning Producer Roger Berlind Dies at 90
By Andrew Gans | 12/28/2020
Mr. Berlind earned a remarkable 25 Tony Awards, from the original 1980 production of
Amadeus
through the 2019 revival of
Oklahoma!.
Obituaries
Stage and Screen Actor Lee Wallace Dead at 90
By Ryan McPhee | 12/28/2020
The performer (and on-screen mayor) appeared on Broadway in
The Cemetery Club, The Apple Doesn’t Fall…
, and more.
Obituaries
Celebrating Rebecca Luker's Work on the Stage
By Playbill Staff | 12/24/2020
The beloved actor and soprano died December 23 at 59.
Obituaries
The Theatre Community Remembers Rebecca Luker
By Felicia Fitzpatrick | 12/23/2020
Members of the theatre community have taken to social media to share their thoughts and memories of the late three-time Tony nominee.
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