Tony and Emmy Nominee Jerome Kass Has Died

By: Oct. 24, 2015
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BroadwayWorld has learned the sad news that playwright Jerome Kass has died. A Tony nominee for penning the book of the 1978 musical BALLROOM, Kass passed away in his Manhatta home on Thursday, Oct. 22 from prostate cancer. He was 78.

Kass is best known for writing QUEEN OF THE STARDUST BALLROOM, which was adapted into the aforementioned Broadway musical. Starring Maureen Stapleton, Charles Durning, and Charlotte Rae the melodrama won two Primetime Emmys in 1975, with nine additional nominations, including nominations for the three leads. It was broadcast by CBS on February 13, 1975.

The teleplay by Jerome Kaas focuses on a lonely widow and a postal worker who discover late-in-life romance when they meet at the local dance hall.

BALLROOM the musical featured a book by Jerome Kass, with music by Billy Goldenberg and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The plot focuses on lonely widow Bea Asher, who becomes romantically involved with Alfred Rossi, a mail carrier she meets at the local dance hall. Her dream of a happily-ever-after relationship is shattered when she discovers Alfred hasn't been as honest about his personal life as she thought.

After eleven previews, the Broadway production, directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett (A CHORUS LINE), opened on December 14, 1978 at the Majestic Theatre, where it ran for 116 performances. Despite the short run, it received eight Tony Award nominations, with Bennett and co-choreographer Bob Avian winning Best Choreography. The cast included Dorothy Loudon as Bea and Vincent Gardenia as Alfred. The sets were by Robin Wagner, and Theoni V. Aldredge designed the costumes. The production was Bennett's first project following A CHORUS LINE three years earlier.

Born in the Bronx in 1937, Kass graduated from NYU and attended graduate school in English at both NYU and Brandeis University. also wrote multiple Off-Broadway plays, as well as the television miniseries EVERGEEN, starring Lesley Ann Warren. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1983 film THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS. Other film writing credits include A BRAND NEW LIFE, CROSSING TO FREEDOM, LETTERS FROM THREE LOVERS, THE FIGHTER (1983), SCORNED AND SWINDLED, THE PIED PIPER, LAST WISH, THE ONLY WAY OUT, and SECRETS.

Kass is survived by his wife, writer Delia Ephron (sister of Nora Ephron) and children Julie and Adam Kass.




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