San Francisco Area Director Albert Takazauckas, 56, Dead | Playbill

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News San Francisco Area Director Albert Takazauckas, 56, Dead Albert Takazauckas, the Manhattan-born theatre and opera director who staged many productions in San Francisco and around North America, died of a heart attack at his Bay Area home July 23, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

Albert Takazauckas, the Manhattan-born theatre and opera director who staged many productions in San Francisco and around North America, died of a heart attack at his Bay Area home July 23, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

The director linked to many California theatres, including American Conservatory Theatre, Magic Theatre and Marin Theatre Company, and to many opera companies, was 56 and lived in Oakland, CA.

Among productions he helmed were pre-war comedies such as Dinner at Eight and Light Up the Sky to Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind and the New York premiere of David Mamet's relationships play, Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

He was co-founder of Allegro Theatre Company, which focuses on revivals of classic musicals. He also directed for San Francisco Shakespeare Company in Pleasanton, CA, as recently as the time of death, with King Henry IV, Part 1. He was set to begin rehearsals for Part 2 when he died at his home. His partner, Hector Correa, will take over the staging.

Mr. Takazauckas was to direct Irving Berlin's As Thousands Cheer this fall for Marin Theatre Company. His opera directing credits include New Jersey Opera Festival, Canadian Opera Company, Utah Opera Company and more. He was slated to stage Carmen for Arizona Opera Company and Rigoletto for Louisville Opera.

Mr. Takazauckas was born in New York City, but educated at a Catholic seminary in Illinois, according to The Chronicle. He directed at the Magic Theatre in the late 1970s and moved to the Bay Area soon after and became one of the region's hottest directors.

Among survivors are Correa (his partner of 10 years), a sister and his father.

-- By Kenneth Jones

 
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