Theatrical casting director Stanley Soble, whose credits include major regional companies and Broadway's Jelly's Last Jam, Big River and The Pirates of Penzance, died July 6 in Los Angeles from complications after surgery. He was 59.

Mr. Soble cast the Los Angeles premieres of The Kentucky Cycle and Angels in America, for the Mark Taper Forum. At the time of his death, he was casting director for Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. He had been there 11 years.

One of Mr. Soble's recent jobs was casting the Taper production of Cider House Rules.

The Richmond, VA, native moved to New York after studying theatre at the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary, graduating in 1962. He appeared in Off-Broadway shows and the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof. Casting assignments included the TV soap, "Search for Tomorrow," and the New York Shakespeare Festival (1980-84)

"He had a great passion for the theatre," said New York colleague and casting director Stuart Howard. "We were shocked that he left New York but understood why -- the Taper is a major theatre, they do great work and it represented security. He was there eight hours a day. He loved living in Los Angeles." Like most casting directors, Howard told Playbill On-Line, Mr. Soble loved finding new, young talent.

Mr. Soble served on the board of directors of the Casting Society of America and earned five ARTIOS nominations from the CSA and won the award for Angels in America. He cast shows for several of the country's major regional theatres, including Guthrie Theater, Hartford Stage, Arena Stage and the La Jolla Playhouse.

He is survived by his sister, Sarah Coyne, brother Paul, three nieces and two nephews.

A memorial service will be held 7 PM July 19 at the Mark Taper Forum.

-- By Kenneth Jones