Obituaries
News
Social Selects
#BwayWorldRecord
COVID-19 Updates
International
Features
Theatre
Classic Arts
Film and TV
The Broadway Q&A Series
Seth Rudetsky
Cast Recordings
Obituaries
Videos
Calendar
Vault
Shows
Jobs
Store
toggle menu
Go
toggle search form
News
COVID-19 Updates
International
Social Selects
Calendar
Shows
Broadway
Off-Broadway
Touring
Regional
London
Jobs
Find A Job
Post A Job
Subscribe to Playbill Jobs
Shop
Obituaries
Obituaries of theatre professionals who have enriched the stage.
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.
Obituaries
Rebecca Luker, 3-Time Tony-Nominated Performer, Passes Away at 59
By Andrew Gans | 12/23/2020
The radiant soprano made her Main Stem debut in
The Phantom of the Opera
and was most recently seen on Broadway in
Fun Home.
Photo Features
A Celebration of Tony and Olivier Award Winner Ann Reinking on the Stage
By Marc J. Franklin | 12/15/2020
In honor of the dancer and choreographer, Playbill looks back at highlights from her theatre career.
Obituaries
The Theatre Community Remembers the Life and Legacy of Ann Reinking
By Kerri Kearse | 12/15/2020
Broadway artists and more took to social media to share their memories of the Tony winner, who died at the age of 71.
Obituaries
Ann Reinking, Dancer-Turned-Tony-Winning-Choreographer and Fosse Muse, Dies at 71
By Ryan McPhee | 12/14/2020
Ms. Reinking won Tony and Olivier Awards for choreographing the revival of
Chicago
and played Roxie Hart in both the original and long-running Broadway productions.
Obituaries
Tony Winner and Soap Opera Favorite Peg Murray Dies at 96
By Dan Meyer | 12/07/2020
The star originated the role of Fraulein Kost in
Cabaret
and appeared on
All My Children
for 13 years.
Obituaries
Stage and Screen Actor Warren Berlinger Dies at 83
By Logan Culwell-Block | 12/03/2020
The character actor appeared on Broadway in
Annie Get Your Gun
and
Come Blow Your Horn
, among others.
Obituaries
Original Broadway
Hair
Cast Member Lynn Kellogg Dies at 77
By Logan Culwell-Block | 11/16/2020
Kellogg sang "Easy to Be Hard" and "I Believe in Love" as Broadway's original Sheila.
Obituaries
Israel Horovitz, Playwright and Gloucester Stage Co-Founder at Center of Several Sexual Assault Allegations, Dies at 81
By Ryan McPhee | 11/12/2020
Mr. Horovitz resigned from Gloucester Stage Company in 2017 after nine women came forward.
Obituaries
Broadway Alum Lawrence Clayton Dies at 64
By Dan Meyer | 11/11/2020
The performer appeared in
Dreamgirls
, the revivals of
Bells Are Ringing
and
The Color Purple
, and more.
Obituaries
Broadway and West End Alum Carol Arthur Dies at 85
By Dan Meyer | 11/04/2020
The performer appeared in productions of
On The Town
,
The Music Man
, and more.
Obituaries
Tony-Winning Theatre Designer Ming Cho Lee Dies at 90
By Andrew Gans | 10/26/2020
Mr. Lee received a 1983 Tony for Best Scenic Design for
K2
and a Special Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2013.
Industry News
Howell Binkley: A Celebration of Light and Love,
Virtual Tribute to the Late Lighting Designer, Streams October 25
By Andrew Gans | 10/25/2020
Mr. Binkley designed the lighting for 52 Broadway shows, receiving two Tony Awards.
Obituaries
Broadway Performer and Emmy-Winning Choreographer Marge Champion Dies at 101
By Dan Meyer | 10/22/2020
The star appeared in
Follies
and served as an associate choreographer on several productions.
Industry News
The Theatre Community Remembers the Life and Work of Doreen Montalvo
By Kerri Kearse | 10/19/2020
Stage and screen artists took to social media to share their favorite memories of the performer, who passed away October 17 at the age of 56.
Obituaries
Stage and Screen Star Anthony Chisholm Dies at 77
By Dan Meyer | 10/19/2020
The performer starred in four August Wilson productions on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for his work in
Radio Golf
.
View More