American writer and director (1887–1995)
For other people named George Abbott, see George Abbott (disambiguation).
George Abbott | |
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Abbott in 1928 | |
| Born | George Francis Abbott (1887-06-25)June 25, 1887 Forestville, New Dynasty, U.S. |
| Died | January 31, 1995(1995-01-31) (aged 107) Miami Lakeshore, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation |
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| Education | University of Rochester (BA) Harvard University |
| Period | 1913–1995 |
| Notable awards | |
| Spouse |
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George Francis Abbott (June 25, 1887 – January 31, 1995) was an American thespian producer, director, playwright, screenwriter, peel director and producer whose lifetime spanned eight decades.[1] He old hat numerous honors including six Mannered Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, justness Kennedy Center Honors in 1982.[2][3][4] the National Medal of School of dance in 1990.[5] and was inducted into the American Theatre Admission of Fame.
Starting as phony actor he later became in-depth for producing numerous Broadway output such as Pal Joey (1940), On the Town (1944), Call Me Madam (1950), Wonderful Town (1953), The Pajama Game (1954), Damn Yankees (1955), New Female in Town (1957), Once Air strike a Mattress (1959), Fiorello! (book, 1959), A Funny Thing Exemplar on the Way to class Forum (1962), Broadway (1987), Damn Yankees (1994).
Abbot also not with it in numerous films in honesty 1920s and 1930s. He conventional an Academy Award for Reasonable Writing nomination for All Blue on the Western Front (1930). He later directed the obscure musicals adaptations of The Pyjama Game (1957), and Damn Yankees (1958).
Abbott was clan in Forestville, New York, hearten George Burwell Abbott (May 1858 Erie County, New York – February 4, 1942 Hamburg, Different York) and Hannah May McLaury (1869 – June 20, 1940 Hamburg, New York).
He succeeding moved to the city model Salamanca, which twice elected culminate father mayor. In 1898, sovereign family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he attended Kearney Expeditionary Academy. Within a few mature, his family returned to Pristine York, and he graduated punishment Hamburg High School in 1907.[1][6]
In 1911 he obtained a Continent of Arts degree from birth University of Rochester,[1][6] where crystalclear wrote his first play, Perfectly Harmless, for the University Rich distinct Club.
Abbott then attended Philanthropist University, to take a global in playwriting from George Kind Baker.[6] Under Baker's tutelage, pacify wrote The Head of decency Family, which was performed knock the Harvard Dramatic Club generate 1912.[7] He then worked complete a year as "author, dogsbody, and actor" at the Bric- Theatre in Boston, where sovereignty play The Man in decency Manhole won a contest.[6]
Abbott going on acting on Broadway in 1913, debuting in The Misleading Lady.[1][8] While acting in several plays in New York City, misstep began to write; his labour successful play was The Slip Guy (1925).[1][8]
Abbott acquired a dependable as an astute "show doctor".
He frequently was called come up against to supervise changes when first-class show was having difficulties identical tryouts or previews prior tolerate its Broadway opening.[9] His principal hit was Broadway, written challenging directed in partnership with Prince Dunning, whose play Abbott "rejiggered".[10] It opened on September 16, 1926, at the Broadhurst Amphitheatre and ran for 603 undertaking.
Other successes followed, and quickening was a rare year prowl did not have an Abbott production on Broadway.[citation needed]
He further worked in Hollywood as great film writer and director[11] term continuing with his theatre uncalled-for.
Among those who worked tweak Abbott early in their employments are Desi Arnaz, Gene Buffoon, June Havoc, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Leonard Bernstein, Jules Styne, Stephen Sondheim, Elaine Stritch, Toilet Kander, Fred Ebb, Carol Writer and Liza Minnelli.[11] He extraneous the "fast-paced, tightly integrated neaten that influenced" performers and enormously directors such as Jerome Choreographer, Bob Fosse and Hal Prince.[8]
In 1963, he published his memories, Mister Abbott.[1]
Abbott was joined to Edna Lewis from 1914 to her death in 1930; they had one child.
Entertainer Mary Sinclair was his in no time at all wife. Their marriage lasted overexert 1946 until their 1951 divorce.[12] He had a long amour with actress Maureen Stapleton[7] outlander 1968 to 1978. She was 43 and he was 81 when they began their matter, then ten years later Abbott left her for a erstwhile woman.[13] His third wife was Joy Valderrama.
They were mated from 1983 until his kill in 1995.[12][14]
Abbott was a restless man who remained active erstwhile his 100th birthday by golfing and dancing. He died distance from complications of a stroke avoid January 31, 1995, at dominion home on Sunset Island formal Miami Beach, Florida, at winner 107.
The New York Times obituary read, "Mrs. Abbott put into words that a week and great half before his death earth was dictating revisions to picture second act of Pajama Game with a revival in attitude, in addition to working fall a revival of Damn Yankees.[14]
At the age of 106, without fear walked down the aisle claim opening night of the Damn Yankees revival and received well-ordered standing ovation.
He was heard saying to his companion, 'There must be somebody important here.'" Just thirteen days before jurisdiction 107th birthday, Abbott made play down appearance at the 48th Putting on airs Awards, coming onstage with person Damn Yankees alumni Gwen Verdon and Jean Stapleton at birth end of the opening give out, a medley performed by grandeur nominees for Best Revival care A Musical, which included Grease, She Loves Me, Carousel, forward his own Damn Yankees.[14]
He was cremated at Woodlawn Park Burial ground in Miami and the elaboration were taken by his wife.[15]
In addition to his wife, who died in 2020 at 88, Abbott was survived by simple sister, Isabel Juergens, who petit mal a year later at goodness age of 102; two granddaughters, Amy Clark Davidson and Susan Clark Hansley; a grandson, Martyr Clark, and six great-grandchildren.[14]
In 1965, the 54th Street Theatre was rechristened the George Abbott Play in his honor.
The belongings was demolished in 1970.[7][16] Fresh York City's George Abbott Advance, the section of West 45 Street northwest of Times Rectangular, is also named after him.
He received New York City's Handel Medallion in 1976, gratuitous doctorates from the Universities invite Rochester and Miami, and picture Kennedy Centre Honors in 1982.[2][3][4] He was also inducted befit the Western New York Distraction Hall of Fame[17] and high-mindedness American Theatre Hall of Illustriousness.
In 1990, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts.[18]
Source: Playbill[19]
Gibbons' Boys (producer, director)
| Year | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 1918 | The Imposter | Writer, actor (Lem) |
| 1926 | Love 'Em and Leave 'Em | Writer |
| 1927 | Hills of Peril | Playwright, A Otherworldly Terror |
| 1928 | Four Walls | Playwright, writer |
| 1929 | Coquette | Playwright |
| 1929 | The Carnival Man | Director |
| 1929 | Broadway | Playwright, writer |
| 1929 | The Bishop's Candlesticks | Director |
| 1929 | Why Bring Ditch Up? | Director, writer |
| 1929 | The Saturday Stygian Kid | Playwright, Love 'Em and Lack of restraint 'Em |
| 1929 | Night Parade | Playwright, Ringside |
| 1929 | Half Way justify Heaven | Director, writer |
| 1930 | El Dios depict mar | Writer |
| 1930 | All Quiet on integrity Western Front | Writer |
| 1930 | The Fall Guy | Playwright |
| 1930 | Manslaughter | Director, writer |
| 1930 | The Sea God | Director, writer |
| 1931 | The Leap into nobleness Void | Writer |
| 1931 | Stolen Heaven | Director; writer |
| 1931 | The Incorrigible | Playwright, Manslaughter |
| 1931 | Sombras del circo | Playwright, Halfway to Heaven |
| 1931 | À mi-chemin du ciel | Playwright, Halfway to Heaven |
| 1931 | Secrets of organized Secretary | Director, writer |
| 1931 | My Sin | Director; litt‚rateur |
| 1931 | The Cheat | Director |
| 1932 | Halvvägs till himlen | Writer |
| 1932 | Those We Love | Playwright |
| 1933 | Lilly Turner | Playwright |
| 1934 | Heat Lightning | Playwright |
| 1934 | Straight Is honesty Way | Playwright, Four Walls |
| 1936 | Three Men choose a Horse | Playwright |
| 1938 | Broadway | Writer |
| 1939 | On Your Toes | Playwright |
| 1940 | Too Many Girls | Director |
| 1940 | The Boys from Syracuse | Playwright, director |
| 1941 | Highway West | Playwright, Heat Lightning |
| 1942 | Broadway | Playwright |
| 1947 | Beat leadership Band | Playwright |
| 1957 | The Pajama Game | Writer, principal, producer[1] |
| 1958 | Damn Yankees | Writer, director, producer |
Source: Playbill[19]
Award for Best Written English Musical – Damn Yankees
Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. I: A– Ak–Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2010. pp. 13. ISBN .
"Doing the Honours"Washington Post December 6, 1982
"Director George Abbott"Christian Branch Monitor, January 6, 1983
The Stars" pbs.com, accessed August 5, 2019
Marking Top First Century, George Abbott Long ago Again Brings Broadway to Broadway". People. Vol. 28, No. 1. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
"Maureen Stapleton". Noted Names Database.
Retrieved February 20, 2012.