Tag: passing

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Broadway Legend Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!, Mame, La Cage Aux Folles) Dead At 88

Broadway composer Jerry Herman (image via official website)
Broadway legend Jerry Herman, who wrote blockbuster musicals including Mame, La Cage aux Folles, and Hello, Dolly!, has passed away at the age of 88. The Associated Press reports Herman was taken to the hospital Thursday night after experiencing chest pains. He died of pulmonary complications in Miami, Florida, where he had been living with his longtime partner, Terry Marler. He made his Broadway debut contributing songs to a revue titled, From A to Z (which included material by Woody Allen and Fred Ebb) in 1960. His first full-fledged Broadway score (and first Tony Award nomination) was for Milk and Honey, about a couple on vacation in Israel. But in 1964, he penned the songs to mega-hit Hello, Dolly! which snagged a record-breaking 10 Tony Awards including one for Herman for ‘Best Score,’ and one for its luminous leading lady, Carol Channing. The production ran for 2,844 performances becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history at the time.

The show would be revived several times on the Great White Way, most recently in 2017 with Bette Midler earning the Divine Miss M a Tony Award for her performance as the indomitable Dolly Levi. Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters followed Midler in the show-stopping role.  

And, of course, it was Barbra Streisand who brought “Dolly Levi” to life in the film version.  

He scored again with Angela Lansbury starring as the glamorous title character in Mame in 1966. Winning several Tony Awards (including trophies for Lansbury and Bea Arthur), the show went on to run for 1,508 performances.

As the 1970s came around, musicals began to become darker and more experimental, and Herman’s shows (Dear World, Mack & Mabel, The Grand Tour) didn’t fare as well. But in 1983, Herman found the inspiration for his next hit in the French film, La Cage aux Folles, about a gay couple living on the French Riviera running a drag nightclub. He would win his second Tony Award (among six awarded the production) for the score of the groundbreaking La Cage which gave the world one its first gay anthems written to be a gay anthem, “I Am What I Am.”

I am what I am I don’t want praise…I don’t want pity I bang my own drum Some think it’s noise…I think it’s pretty And so what if I love each feather and each bangle Why not try to see things from a different angle? Your life is a sham ‘til you can shout out loud, ‘I am what I am’

The song not only packed a punch on stage but also in discos as Gloria Gaynor’s version (which reached #3 on the Billboard Dance chart) resonated with the LGBTQ community everywhere as the gay pride movement was hitting its stride.

Connecting theatergoers with a loving, openly gay couple, the show touched audiences in New York City and around the world. The production’s storyline also put drag front and center. In the end, it’s the nightclub’s star Zaza that saves the day leading a conservative couple out of a tight situation decked in glamorous drag. The show would run for 1,761 performances and return to Broadway twice reminding audiences of the power of drag and the depth of love held by the leading characters for each other. Harvey Fierstein, who wrote the book for La Cage, saluted his colleague on Twitter today:  

“I’m certainly aware of how different popular music is today from when I started in this business, and I realize that my songwriting is not generally in fashion,” he shared with the New York Times in 1985. “But ‘La Cage’ made me feel secure about going on and just being what I am, and writing simple, hummable tunes.” There were other projects following La Cage, including songs for the television movie Mrs. Santa Claus reuniting Herman with Ms. Lansbury. The effort would snag him an Emmy Award nomination. In 2009, he was honored with a Special Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Tony Awards. And the next year, he was celebrated alongside Sir Paul McCartney and Oprah at the Kennedy Center Honors.

In full disclosure, this writer will share that, in another lifetime, I was an actor in New York City, and the 1995 revival of Hello, Dolly! was my Broadway debut. Jerry was very involved in the production as the only living creator of the show at the time, and I was fortunate to witness Jerry’s genius first hand. I give Jerry and Dolly! a lot of credit for my life, both professional and personal, taking a great leap forward. It was on October 17, 1994, at Paisley Park recording studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that I met my future husband during the pre-Broadway tour of Dolly! We were recording our Broadway cast album prior to heading into New York City and my Michael was the 24-year-old Vice President of Marketing and PR for the record label.

Hubby Michael Caprio with Jerry Herman in October 1994
I won’t go into the details but suffice to say, by the end of the day “Dolly” had worked her matchmaking magic. We’ve been together for over 25 years now. Jerry was always very fond of taking credit for our relationship and we happily saluted him for it. After the show closed on Broadway, Jerry was involved in the decision to ask me to stage the dances for the ensuing national touring company of Dolly. Jerry’s belief in me propelled my career forward again, this time as a choreographer. Since that time, I’ve staged nearly a dozen productions of the show with Jerry’s blessing.
Jerry Herman (center) with me on the right in 1995
And in 2011, Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and director Jack O’Brien were in talks to mount a new revival of Dolly! One Saturday morning, my phone rang and it was Jerry. He shared the news of the possible revival and asked me to choreograph the new production. At the time, he wanted the creative team to explore new ideas for the show, but there were a few concepts from the Gower Champion original he wanted integrated into the new production. He told me, “I know you’ll have my back.” As if my life hadn’t been blessed enough by Jerry, his confidence in me was surely the crowning moment we would share. In the end, LuPone and O’Brien exited the production and for several months the lead producer and I thought of a raft of leading ladies to approach, including Midler who would finally say ‘yes’ to the role a few years later. The production never happened, but I’ve never forgotten the buoyant, upbeat confidence he instilled not only in me but in everyone he worked with. The constant theme throughout his work – his songs, his shows, the characters he wrote for – was that life was meant to be lived. The titles of just a few of his songs – “Before the Parade Passes By,” “It’s Today,” “I’ll Be Here Tomorrow,” “The Best of Times,” “Tap Your Troubles Away,” “We Need a Little Christmas” – tell the tale of someone who found his truth in hope and celebration.  

Even in the late 1980s, when he was diagnosed with HIV and lost his partner Martin Finkelstein to AIDS, he never stopped embracing the power of positivity. In 2010, he seemed content as he reflected on his long, successful career telling the Washington Post, “It’s a very long, colorful parade. With lots of balloons. And banners. And confetti. And all of that. But it’s also kind of near the end of it. That’s very moving and very rewarding.” Along the way, Herman gave us fabulous, bigger-than-life diva characters to cheer for including a drag queen who told the world (and us) how to love ourselves. Rest in power Jerry Herman, Broadway’s gentle giant.

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‘Will & Grace’ Actress Shelley Morrison Dies At 83

Shelley Morrison on ‘Will & Grace’ (screen capture)
Shelley Morrison, who played Megan Mullally’s sassy housekeeper ‘Rosario’ on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, has died at 83. Variety reports the actress passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to heart failure after a brief illness.

Rosario, who hailed from El Salvador, was originally written to appear in just one episode of the hit NBC series, but her dynamic with Megan Mullally’s Karen resonated so well with audiences that the character went on to appear in 68 episodes over eight seasons of the original series. According to co-creator Max Mutchnick, Morrison was asked to reprise her role for the revival of ‘Will & Grace,’ but had decided to retire from acting completely.

Before her turn on “Will & Grace,” Morrison was best known for playing Sister Sixto on “The Flying Nun” alongside Sally Field in the late ’60s and early ’70s. She also had extensive credits as a guest actress, including roles on “The Partridge Family,” “Three’s A Crowd,” “My Favorite Martian,” “Laredo,” “Gunsmoke” and “General Hospital.” All four stars of the hit sitcom paid tribute to Morrison on social media.

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Looking Back As Our Tyler Crosses The Rainbow Bridge

Tyler as a puppy in 2003, and on our last day together

Tyler as a puppy in 2003, and on our last day together
Tyler as a puppy in 2003, and at 16 and a half on our last day together
Michael and I helped our prettiest, Tyler, cross the rainbow bridge Friday evening. She was diagnosed with Cushings Disease last week and we started medications, but they overwhelmed her causing her to throw up for about four days. We stopped them, with vet’s advice, hoping they’d work out of her system and she would bounce back. But by Friday, she hadn’t taken any water or food for three days. No treats, nothing. At sixteen and a half, she was very weak, and we had to be ‘the adults.’ Sad doesn’t begin to describe where we are emotionally. Numb is about all I can come up with. When we moved to Las Vegas 15 years ago, in the spring of 2004, the house was full of dogs.
Moving into Vegas house, dogs in the backyard (L-R Bear, Bruno, Sabrina, Bandit, Tyler)
Bruno and the puppies nap in the sun
Life at Casa Caprio
When Michael and I met, he had Olivia the chihuahua, named after iconic pop goddess, Olivia Newton-John. About a year and a half after I moved from New York City to Los Angeles to be with Michael, he gifted me Sabrina at Christmas 1997.
L-R Olivia and Sabrina in 1998
In 2002, my friend David and I walked into a pet store on the Upper East Side of NYC, and I met Bruno the wonder dog for the first time. ‘It only takes a moment, for your eyes to meet and then…’ While I played with him, David went to the front of the store and paid for ‘the Brun,’ who would become my best friend.
Bruno the wonder dog
In spring 2003, the night before Bruno was going to be fixed, he clearly sensed ‘a disturbance in the force.’ We heard yelping and ran to the kitchen where he and Sabrina looked like guilty teenagers. Sixty-two days later, their three puppies – Tyler, Bandit, and Bear – were born. I was on tour with Chicago the Musical (for a change). Michael and I agreed we’d give two puppies to friends and keep one. But when I returned home, there were still six dogs at Casa Caprio. So, life went on – with six small dogs and two adults making up our unexpectedly large family. And it just worked.
Michael and the kids in his office
L-R Bandit, Tyler, Bear, Bruno and Sabrina
Randy and family
As I mentioned, we moved to Vegas in 2004. Olivia passed from old age in the summer of 2005, and Sabrina – the mama – passed in 2010. Bandit (who knew he was a supermodel) crossed over in February 2017 after a six-month cancer journey.
Bandit, who always knew deep inside he was truly a super-model
The Brun, my bestie, left us a year later in February 2018, after a long bout with Cushing’s disease. And now, Tyler joins her dad, mom, brother and Olivia. Bear, who entered the world last on July 19, 2003, is still with us. He licked Tyler’s face after she passed and has spent the day on the pillow where Tyler always slept.
Bear at Tyler’s pillow
Circle of life. This is what happens. We certainly get more from them than we could ever give back. It’s definitely been a rough day. Tyler’s passing has triggered a trip down memory lane, and I’m struck by how quickly a generation has passed as this family graced us with their lives. It feels like this amazing doggy adventure has gone by in the blink of an eye. As I walked through the living room today I was keenly aware that I wasn’t being followed by a herd of dachshunds. Thank god for the advent of phone cameras and video. They all continue to live so vibrantly, not just in my memory, but on my computer screen in bold, bright living color. I step back and say thank you for the blessing, joy, laughter, and love from these spirited, furry family members. We are sad but immensely grateful. Tyler, “the prettiest,” leaves her paw print on our hearts forever.
Tyler (in front) napping with brothers Bear and Bandit

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Comedian Rip Taylor Passes Away At 84

Rip Taylor, king of confetti and comedy, died at age 84

Rip Taylor, king of confetti and comedy, died at age 84 Rip Taylor, the over-the-top “King of Camp and Confetti” comedian passed away Sunday in Beverly Hills at the age of 84. Variety reports:

Taylor, whose high-energy personality and confetti-throwing antics quickly made him a mainstay on television, made appearances on everything from sitcoms to talk shows, including “The Gong Show,” “Password,” “The Merv Griffin Show,” “The Mike Douglas Show,” “The Tonight Show,” “Late Night with David Letterman” in addition to a hosting stint for “The $1.98 Beauty Show” — a parody of beauty contests whose big prize was a bouquet of rotten vegetables.

Taylor saw even more success outside of game shows and late-night TV, headlining Las Vegas’ The Flamingo Hotel’s Rockettes Extravaganza — where he won Entertainer of the Year three consecutive times — and touring the country in lead roles for productions such as “Sugar Babies,” “Anything Goes, Oliver,” “Peter Pan” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

Taylor also made appearances in several popular spoof films including “Reposessed,” with Linda Blair and Leslie Nielsen, and “The Silence of the Hams” in addition to other appearances in “The Monkees” and “The Bradys.”

Taylor is survived by his longtime partner, Robert Fortney.

“He didn’t have an easy childhood,” publicist Harlan Boll posted on Facebook about his longtime client. “Abused and bullied, he said he discovered early, that they weren’t hitting you if they were laughing.”

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Tony Award Winner, Oscar Nominee Diahann Carroll Passes Away At 84

Actress, singer, and trailblazer Diahann Carroll has passed away at the age of 84 due to cancer. The first African-American actress to win a Tony Award (in 1962 for her starring role in Richard Rodgers’ No Strings), Carroll broke down another barrier just a few years later when she became the first black woman to star as a middle-class single mother in the TV series, Julia. The show would run for 3 years and give greater visibility to black actresses on television. In 1974, she became only the fourth black actress to be nominated in the “Best Actress” category at the Academy Awards for the 1974 romantic drama Claudine. Younger audiences will remember her as the regal “Dominique Deveraux” on the 1980s nighttime soap opera, Dynasty. She returned to the theater as “Norma Desmond” in the 1995 Canadian premiere of Sunset Boulevard, and a replacement stint in Agnes of God.

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Valerie Harper Passes Away At 80

Four-time Emmy Award-winner Valerie Harper has died at age 80 after a long battle with cancer. Last month, her family began a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses. The fundraiser garnered over $66,000 before ending. Her husband Tony Cacciotti reached out to fans via social media:

I have been told by doctors to put Val in Hospice care and I can’t [because of our 40 years of shared commitment to each other] and I won’t because of the amazing good deeds she has graced us with while she’s been here on earth. We will continue going forward as long as the powers above allow us, I will do my very best in making Val as comfortable as possible.

The venerable actress was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, and then in 2013 with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. She was told she wouldn’t live past three months, but chemotherapy helped her to rally. Harper went back to work, even appearing in the 2015 edition of Dancing with the Stars. Her early career including bit parts in Broadway musicals and films, but she will forever be remembered as one of the great sidekicks of all time, Mary Tyler Moore’s bestie, Rhoda Morgenstern, on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The role, which would eventually be spun off to her own series, Rhoda, garnered her a Golden Globe Award and four Emmys. She was also nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Hollywood legend Tallulah Bankhead in Looped (2010). She is survived by her husband and their adopted daughter. Click over to Boy Culture where Matt Rettenmund has much more on Harper’s long and celebrated career.

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Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Toni Morrison Passes Away At 88

Toni Morrison (image via Flickr/John Matthew Smith)

From the New York Times:

Toni Morrison, the 1993 Nobel laureate in literature, whose work explored black identity in America and in particular the experience of black women, died on Monday in the Bronx. She was 88.

Her death, at Montefiore Medical Center, was announced by her publisher, Alfred A. Knopf. A spokeswoman said the cause was complications of pneumonia. Ms. Morrison lived in Grand View-on-Hudson, N.Y.

The first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, Ms. Morrison was the author of 11 novels as well as children’s books and essay collections. Among them were celebrated works like “Song of Solomon,” which received the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1977, and “Beloved,” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988.

Ms. Morrison was one of the rare American authors whose books were both critical and commercial successes. Her novels appeared regularly on The New York Times best-seller list, were featured multiple times on Oprah Winfrey’s television book club and were the subject of myriad critical studies. A longtime faculty member at Princeton, Ms. Morrison lectured widely and was seen often on television.

“If you can only be tall because someone is on their knees, then you have a serious problem.”

“If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”

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Legendary Broadway Producer/Director Hal Prince Dead At 91

Hal Prince

Hal Prince, producer and/or director of many of the theater’s most important and provocative musicals, including Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Company, Sweeney Todd and The Phantom of the Opera (the longest-running show in Broadway history), died on Wednesday in Reykjavik, Iceland. He was 91.

His legendary career began as a stage manager for shows like Call Me Madam and Wonderful Town, then produced his first musical at the age of 26, he went on to win a staggering 21 Tony Awards for his ground-breaking work.

His first Tony honor would come for co-producing the 1955 best musical, The Pajama Game. Number 20 recognized his gorgeous direction for the 1995 revival of Show Boat.

His final Tony Award was presented in 2006 for lifetime achievement.

No other theater artist comes close to his Tony haul.

The New York Times shares this never-before-seen mini-documentary on Prince’s illustrious career.

He was well-known for his workaholic habits sometimes producing three Broadway musicals at the same time.

And then there’s his long list of top-flight creative talents who often found themselves at the top of their game when working with him.

His list of illustrious collaborators included choreographers Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Michael Bennett and Susan Stroman; designers Patricia Zipprodt, Eugene Lee, and Florence Klotz; and composers John Kander, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim (his most frequent collaborator), and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

It was with Webber that Prince found two of his greatest, and most profitable successes – Evita and The Phantom of the Opera.

His last Broadway production was, fittingly, a retrospective of his own profilic career titled, Prince of Broadway.

My husband Michael worked on The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and in Germany, and knew Hal well.

Michael Caprio and I with Hal Prince in Las Vegas
L-R Hubby Michael Caprio, Hal Prince, me

The last time we saw Hal was when he did a wonderful Q&A evening here in Las Vegas.

He was a terrific and gracious man.

The theater world has lost a giant.

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Fashion Designer Gloria Vanderbilt Dies At 95

(Anderson Cooper and mother, Gloria Vanderbilt – image via Instagram)

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper announced the passing of his own mother, fashion designer/socialite Gloria Vanderbilt, in a moving eulogy this morning.

The artist, dubbed “the poor little rich girl” when she was a child, was 95 years old.

In her teens, she began her career as a model but eventually became a fashion designer. In 2002, she sold her company for $138 million.

From CNN:

“Gloria Vanderbilt was an extraordinary woman, who loved life, and lived it on her own terms,” Cooper said in a statement. “She was a painter, a writer and designer but also a remarkable mother, wife, and friend.

“She was 95 years old, but ask anyone close to her, and they’d tell you: She was the youngest person they knew — the coolest and most modern.”

Vanderbilt was diagnosed with an advanced form of stomach cancer earlier this month, Cooper said.

She joined Instagram at the age of 93, and Anderson says she was amazed anyone was interested in her on social media even as she accrued over 200k followers. Click over to peruse a fascinating collection of personal photos and art by the designer.

Cooper posted these photos of his mother on her 95th birthday:

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Internet Sensation ‘Grumpy Cat’ Passes Away At 7

Internet sensation 'Grumpy Cat' has passed away at the age of 7.

Internet sensation ‘Grumpy Cat’ has passed away at the age of 7.

She died of complications from a urinary tract infection, according to her owners.

From USA Today:

Grumpy Cat, whose real name was Tardar Sauce, became an internet sensation after a photo of her trademark frowning face went viral on Reddit in 2012.

Since then, she became the subject of countless memes, a Honey Nut Cheerios commercial, book deals and even a Lifetime movie.