Alee Ralph, Production Supervisor and Casting Agent, Dies at 45

By Robert Simonson
14 Nov 2008

Production supervisor and casting agent Alee Ralph, who worked on the national tours of many hit Broadway musicals, died on Nov. 3. He was 45.

Mr. Ralph was best known for his work as the production supervisor at Big League Theatricals for 17 years, spending the last ten as the casting director. He supervised such productions as Guys and Dolls, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Into the Woods, Tommy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Spirit of the Dance, Peter Pan, The King and I, Titanic, Footloose, The Music Man and Miss Saigon.

Among the many actors whom Mr. Ralph gave a leg up were Heidi Blickenstaff and Jeff Bowen, whose meeting in Big League's Brazilian tour of Tommy was referenced in the recent Broadway musical [title of show].

Alee Ralph was born Aug. 27, 1963, in Arab, Alabama. He was a graduate of Wagner College and held a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mr. Ralph is survived by his mother Bonnie Jean Johnston, her husband Charles Johnston, his sister Liza, a brother, Jesse, and his life partner, Tom Reiter.

There will be a viewing and a memorial service for family friends, and former Big League Theatricals associates on Nov. 7, 2008 at Redden's, 325 West 14th Street between 8th & 9th Avenue. Following the service, friends will gather at G2 Lounge, 39 Ninth Avenue (at 14th street) to raise a glass in celebration of Alee's life.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Alee's Memorial Fund. Checks can be mailed to: Big League Productions, 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 900, New York, NY 10036, Attn: Connie Caulo. Please be sure to include Alee Ralph on the memo line.