Patricia Marand of Broadway's THE KING AND I and 'LA MANCHA' Passes Away

Tony Award nominated Broadway star, Patricia Marand, who graced the stage with theatre greats like Yul Brynner, as leading lady Anna in "The King & I," and Alfred Drake, as the sultry Aldonza in "Man Of La Mancha," and twice opposite Jack Cassidy, passed away yesterday, November 27th, due to brain cancer. 

Marand was nominated for the Tony Award in 1966 for her starring role as Lois Lane in the Hal Prince-directed Broadway production of "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman," composed by Charles Strouse which The New York Times once called "the best musical of the season."

A statuesque, red haired beauty with a rich and melodic soprano voice, Marand's iconic performances epitomized legendary Broadway theatre with memorable grace and style.

A regular on "The Merv Griffin Show" with multiple guest appearances on "The Johnny Carson Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show," Marand began her career in the hey-day of Broadway, playing leading roles in "Kiss Me Kate," "Pajama Game," "Guys & Dolls," "Oklahoma," "Kismet" and "South Pacific," to name a few.

While the Broadway stage was her true love and home, Marand's voice enchanted thousands in acclaimed concert solos in the Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New Haven and Minneapolis Symphonies, as well as during long-running engagements at the Cotillion Room at New York's Hotel Pierre and La Maisonette at the St. Regis.  She also appeared recently on the small screen as Helen Barone in "The Sopranos."

A native New Yorker and true socialite for whom flash bulbs constantly flickered, Marand always lit up the room at operas, theaters, charitable benefits and political events around the world.  She was born on January 25, 1934.

Daughter of the late Patrick and Justine Marandino, she leaves behind her loving husband and love of her life, Irving Salem; brother Robert; sister-in-law Joan; nephew Rob, and nieces Missy, Kimberly and Cristin.