Category Archives: People

AP Breakthrough Entertainers of 2021

Posted on December 15, 2021 by boz

Yesterday, the Associated Press named its eight Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year, the fifth annual list from the American news agency. This year’s honorees include “Todo de Ti” rapper Rauw Alejandro, Outside the Wire actor Damson Idris, Shang-Chi and the … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Leonard Soloway

Posted on December 14, 2021 by boz

Tony-winning producer Leonard Soloway died December 11 in Palm Springs. Born May 9, 1928, in Cleveland, Soloway began his theatrical career during his teens, working both onstage and backstage at Cleveland Play House. He graduated from Shaker Heights H.S. and … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Keith Herrmann

Posted on December 8, 2021 by boz

On December 5, Tony-nominated composer Keith Herrmann passed away. Born March 4, 1952, in Brooklyn, Herrmann graduated from Westfield H.S. in New Jersey, where he was active in the music program. Below is a recording of Herrmann singing the carol … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Eddie Mekka

Posted on December 3, 2021 by boz

Tony nominee Eddie Mekka died November 27 at his home in Newhall, Calif. Born Edward Rudolph Mekjian on June 14, 1952, in Worcester, Mass., Mekka graduated from Burncoat H.S. and attended Berklee College of Music. After college, he taught voice … Continue reading →

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Sondheim: A Personal Remembrance

Posted on December 1, 2021 by boz

The tributes continue apace, as many of us in the theater community turn to the written word (ours and Sondheim’s) to express our feelings of losing an important artist, mentor, and fellow theater lover. As numerous as his artistic accomplishments … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Arlene Dahl

Posted on November 30, 2021 by boz

Classical Hollywood era star Arlene Dahl died November 29 in New York. Born Aug. 11, 1925 in Minneapolis, Dahl was active in theater at school. After graduating from Washburn H.S., she briefly attended Univ. of Minnesota but soon moved to … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Stephen Sondheim

Posted on November 26, 2021 by boz

Composer Stephen Sondheim, one of the pivotal figures in musical theater history, died November 26 at his home in Roxbury, Conn. Born March 22, 1930, in New York, Sondheim’s parents divorced when he was 10, and he moved to Bucks … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Ira Hawkins

Posted on November 17, 2021 by boz

Veteran performer Ira Hawkins has died. Born October 19, 1944, in Los Angeles, Hawkins earned his master’s degree in classical piano from University of Iowa and worked as a junior high school teacher, before he began his career as a … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Lee Goldsmith

Posted on November 8, 2021 by boz

Lyricist and librettist Lee Goldsmith died Oct. 5 in Cutler Bay, Fla. Born Jan. 4, 1923, in New York City, Goldsmith fell in love with musical theater after seeing Ethel Merman in Anything Goes when he was a schoolboy. After … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Camille Saviola

Posted on November 1, 2021 by boz

Musical actress and writer Camille Saviola, whom her friend Harvey Fierstein called the “Italian Godmother of Soul,” died October 28 from heart failure following a brief illness. Born July 16, 1950, in the Bronx, Saviola grew up near Yankee Stadium. … Continue reading →

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