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Elizabeth McCann
Latest News on Elizabeth McCann:
Industry Pro Newsletter: Nicole Rosky New Editor-in-Chief of BroadwayWorld, New Data on Pandemic Recovery (Mar 21, 2022)
Obituary: General Manager Thom Schilling Dies at 64 (Aug 20, 2021)
Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN at 59E59 (Sep 6, 2018)
Industry Pro Newsletter: Nicole Rosky New Editor-in-Chief of BroadwayWorld, New Data on Pandemic Recovery (Mar 21, 2022)
Obituary: General Manager Thom Schilling Dies at 64 (Aug 20, 2021)
Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN at 59E59 (Sep 6, 2018)
Elizabeth McCann BIO
Elizabeth Ireland McCann, the iconoclastic Broadway producer who won nine Tony Awards during a 60-year career in theater, died after a bout with cancer on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, according to her longtime associate and friend, Kristen Luciani. She was 90 years old.
One of the first women to command a place at the table populated largely by male producers, Ms. McCann - known up and down Broadway as simply, "Liz" - began her career in theater as a production assistant and manager with Proscenium Productions at the Cherry Lane Theatre in the 1950's. Proscenium was, in fact, the first theater off the Broadway circuit to win a Special Tony Award (1955) for its groundbreaking productions of THE WAY OF THE WORLD and THIEVES' CARNIVAL. After a string of short-term gigs in theater, Liz eventually completed a law degree at Fordham University, having previously graduated from Manhattanville College, where she acted in plays: Jo in LITTLE WOMEN), and she discovered the actor Yul Brynner's name was on a label sewn into a rental costume she wore for one school production. She later earned a Masters in English Literature at Columbia, intending to become a drama teacher. While pursuing English throughout her education, Liz allowed that she always "troubled in theater."
Broadway came calling in 1967 when she was hired as Managing Director by the influential theater owner James Nederlander (Jimmy Sr.). Eventually, she and Nelle Nugent created the formidable general management and production company, McCann & Nugent.
Liz and Nelle's "Midas touch" remains legendary in the history of Broadway: their string of Tony Award-winning productions is practically unparalleled - DRACULA (1979), THE ELEPHANT MAN (1979), MORNING'S AT SEVEN (1980), AMADEUS (1980), THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (1981). McCann & Nugent's other Broadway productions include NIGHT AND DAY starring Maggie Smith, PIAF, ROSE (starring Glenda Jackson and Jessica Tandy), LEADER OF THE PACK, THE DRESSER, MASS APPEAL, GOOD, THE GLASS MENAGERIE (starring Jessica Tandy and Amanda Plummer), and The Royal Shakespeare Company's ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL along with MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and CYRANO DE BERGERAC starring Derek Jacobi.
As General Managers, McCann & Nugent managed the Broadway productions of GIN GAME with Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, TINTYPES, CRIMES OF THE HEART, 'night MOTHER and TANGO ARGENTINO, along with THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, OTHERWISE ENGAGED and COMEDY WITH MUSIC by Victor Borge.
In partnership with other producers, Ms. McCann earned four more Tony Awards for THE GOAT by Edward Albee, COPENHAGEN, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and the revival of HAIR. She was also a producer of LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES, A DELICATE BALANCE, WELL, EQUUS, PASSING STRANGE, BUTLEY, MY FAT FRIEND and SHAKESPEARE FOR MY FATHER (both starring Lynn Redgrave), NICK & NORA, ORPHEUS DESCENDING starring Vanessa Redgrave, and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM on Broadway. She produced extensively Off-Broadway, also, including THE LADY WITH THE CLARINET and PAINTING CHURCHES, both with Ms. Nugent. She served as Executive Producer of the Tony Awards for several years, and was General Manager of the Big Apple Circus.
Elizabeth Ireland McCann was born March 29, 1931 on Manhattan's West Side, the daughter of Scottish immigrants: Patrick, a subway motorman, and Rebecca (Henry), a housewife. She credited her parents' flair for storytelling with spawning her own love of theater. She was taught by nuns at parochial school. With Scottish parents and Ireland as her middle name, Liz's true heritage was a source of bedevilment throughout her life. When she applied for a job at the leading ad agency McCann Ericson, the woman in the personnel office seemed skeptical of the tall, young Liz who showed up without an appointment until she saw the McCann last name and became flummoxed, to which Liz remarked, "I'm not the McCann you're thinking of. I'm Patty McCann's kid."
Liz loathed hearing Broadway referred to as an 'industry,' reminding colleagues that they were all part of a 'community.' No one disputed her brilliance as a producer and manager, and she was widely-known as one of the fastest hang-ups on Broadway. Many phone calls ended with a "flourish." Once, after a one-sided heated discussion on the phone, she slammed down the receiver with dramatic flair and quipped to her staff, "Do you think that performance will win me a Tony?"
She had a keen and daring sense of business and promotion, and loved the theatre with the heart of a poet and a dreamer, embracing every aspect of it. As a producer, with her devotion to the written word, she was generally considered a playwright's best friend. In truth, her professional relationships with numerous writers such as Peter Shaffer and Edward Albee evolved into deep, abiding friendships.
In 1993, Liz began what would be the most fruitful artistic relationship of her later years when she produced Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning THREE TALL WOMEN. Both were emerging from somewhat fallow periods in their respective, illustrious careers, and the enormous success of Albee's autobiographical play in New York, on tour and in London set Liz and Edward on a glorious path that led to the 2002 Tony Award-winning THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? (Mr. Albee's first Best Play Tony Award in 30 years), which starred Bill Pullman and Mercedes Ruehl, and later Sally Field and Bill Irwin, along with the 2005 revival of WHO'S AFRAID OF Virginia Woolf? starring Kathleen Turner and Mr. Irwin, and the Off-Broadway hits, THE PLAY ABOUT THE BABY and BECKET/ALBEE. The latter two productions triumphantly paired the great thespians, Marian Seldes and Brian Murray, and amounted to unforgettable evenings in the theater that doubled as master classes in acting by two of the stage's most artful craftsmen.
Having partnered with Daryl Roth on the Albee productions, Ms. McCann co-produced Paula Vogel's play INDECENT with Ms. Roth on Broadway in 2018 and, most recently joined Robert Fox in producing Martin McDonagh's HANGMEN, which closed precipitously on Broadway at the onset of the pandemic.
Liz had long-standing relationships with theater owners on Broadway - the Nederlanders, Shuberts and Jujamcyns - and across the country and in London, where she occasionally produced, as well. The producer Paul Libin was a classmate at Columbia.
She was a fixture at Broadway opening nights - opting for a seat, on the aisle, in the back row where she could greet the audience on its way in - and out.
She was an inveterate nap-taker, avid reader and a great lover of cats. Her most recent favorite is Miss Sophie. Liz was feted on her 90th birthday earlier this year when scores of actors, directors, playwrights, producers, friends, colleagues, fans gathered on Zoom.
In an unscripted moment in 2005, Liz and Mr. Albee were photographed, unaware, by an associate during intermission of WHO'S AFRAID OF Virginia Woolf? outside the Longacre Theatre. In their late 70's at the time, the producer and playwright each leaned on either side of the lid of a city trash bin, nose-to-nose in deep conversation. They appeared oblivious to the placard on the bin, which was promoting a city works program with the slogan: DO NOT LET SENIOR TALENT GO TO WASTE. Indeed, they did not.
Elizabeth McCann TV Shows
Downton Abbey
Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
Freezing
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
War of the Worlds
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Helen Brown
Elizabeth McCann News
Industry Pro Newsletter: Nicole Rosky New Editor-in-Chief of BroadwayWorld, New Data on Pandemic Recovery
New data points show that the theatre industry is once again at an inflection point - first, data backs up the anecdotal sense that the recovery from the pandemic shutdown has been uneven across the globe, and across different regions within countries. With pandemic response being handled on a local level, this uneven recovery is not surprising.
Obituary: General Manager Thom Schilling Dies at 64
Thom Schilling, the general manager, production supervisor and stage manager for dozens of Broadway, Off-Broadway and global tours for over 40 years, died in his sleep on August 19 in New York City. The cause of death is not presently known. Born in 1956, Thom was 64 years old.
Photo Coverage: Inside Opening Night of HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN at 59E59
Hershey Felder brings his wildly acclaimed one-man show, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin to 59E59 Theaters. The production, featuring music and lyrics by the great American songwriter Irving Berlin, book by Hershey Felder and directed by longtime Felder collaborator Trevor Hay, will play from August 24 through October 28, 2018.
Paula Vogel's Tony-Winning INDECENT Sets Broadway Closing; Story to Live on at Stages Across the U.S.
Winner of two 2017 Tony Awards, Indecent will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, June 25th at 3:00 PM at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues.) At the time of closing, Indecent will have played 79 performances and 15 previews.
Attorney John Breglio Chats 'I WANNA BE A PRODUCER' Book on THEATER TALK Today
On this week's THEATER TALK, John Breglio, one of Broadway's most prominent go-to theatrical attorneys, who later added Broadway producer to his resume - talks about his new book, I Wanna Be A Producer: How to Make A Killing on Broadway...or Get Killed.
Attorney John Breglio to Chat 'I WANNA BE A PRODUCER' Book on THEATER TALK This Week
On this week's THEATER TALK, John Breglio, one of Broadway's most prominent go-to theatrical attorneys, who later added Broadway producer to his resume - talks about his new book, I Wanna Be A Producer: How to Make A Killing on Broadway...or Get Killed.
Jennifer Ashley Tepper Celebrates THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 3 at Drama Book Shop Today
Dress Circle Publishing will celebrate their new book THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 3 - the latest in a series by acclaimed historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper - with a special event at The Drama Book Shop (250 West 4oth Street in Manhattan) today, December 1 at 5:30 PM.
Jennifer Ashley Tepper to Celebrate THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 3 at Drama Book Shop
Dress Circle Publishing will celebrate their new book THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 3 - the latest in a series by acclaimed historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper - with a special event at The Drama Book Shop (250 West 4oth Street in Manhattan) on Thursday, December 1 at 5:30 PM.
Paula Vogel's INDECENT Finds Broadway Home, Locks in Dates
INDECENT - Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel's newest work, one of the most acclaimed plays of 2016 when it debuted in New York Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre - will premiere on Broadway at the Cort Theatre (138 W 48th St New York, NY), this spring.
Official: Paula Vogel's INDECENT Will Open on Broadway This Spring
INDECENT - Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel's newest work, one of the most acclaimed plays of 2016 when it debuted in New York Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre - will premiere on Broadway this spring.
Cherry Lane Theatre Presents its 2nd annual Week-Long Education Program, CHERRY LANE SCHOOL
Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) will present its second annual week-long education program, CHERRY LANE SCHOOL - featuring panel discussions and workshop sessions with leading figures in the professional theatre - from October 24 to 28 at Cherry Lane Theatre.
Will Paula Vogel's INDECENT Be First Play by a Woman on Broadway This Season?
More works by women on Broadway? Yes, please!
Bill Pullman & Donald Holder to be Honored at New York Stage and Film's Winter Gala
New York Stage and Film has announced that its annual Winter Gala will honor star of stage and screen Bill Pullman, whose decades-long career includes starring roles in the blockbuster film Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping and Broadway's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?; as well as 2-time Tony Award-winner and 11-time nominee Donald Holder, lighting designer of Broadway's The Lion King, The King & I, and the upcoming Fiddler on the Roof revival, among countless others. The Winter Gala will be held on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at The Plaza Hotel (770 Fifth Avenue, New York City). For more information on New York Stage and Film, please visit http://www.newyorkstageandfilm.org/.
Photo Flash: Sally Field, Rajiv Joseph, Phylicia Rashad and More at Lark Benefit Honoring Edward Albee
On the evening of March 10, 2014, Lark Play Development Center held a benefit entitled 'A Transformative Moment, A Celebration with Songs and Scenes Honoring Edward Albee'. The benefit celebrated Lark's 20th anniversary, Edward Albee's inspiring work and the power of playwriting. Scroll down for photos!
The League of Professional Theatre Women's 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Will Be Joan D. Firestone
The League of Professional Theatre Women has announced that its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors women exhibiting exemplary service to the theatre, will be presented by Marsha Norman (playwright) to Joan D. Firestone, Executive Director of The Moth. In addition to its annual Lifetime Achievement Award, LPTW will have Linda Chapman (playwright) present the 2012 Lee Reynolds Award to Kia Corthron, an outstanding American dramatist and activist, and the 2012 Josephine Abady Award presented by Angelina Fiordellisi (Cherry Lane Theater) to Stephanie Ybarra, an Artistic Associate at The Public Theatre. All the awards will be presented at the LPTW's Turning Thirty Awards Celebration, in honor of the League's 30th Anniversary year, on December 6, 2012, at Scandinavia House at 58 Park Avenue, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This year's celebration will also be the culmination of a year of celebratory events for the League.
National Theatre Conference Honors Elizabeth McCann, Dominique Morisseau, and New Federal Theatre with 2012 Awards
The National Theatre Conference (NTC), an organization founded in 1925 that meets annually in New York to discuss relevant issues in today's theatre community and to celebrate outstanding achievement in the American theatre, has named the recipients of its 2012 awards. Broadway producer Elizabeth McCann has been named Person of the Year; the New Federal Theatre, under the direction of its founder, Woodie King, Jr., is the recipient of the Theatre of the Year Award; and playwright Dominique Morisseau has been selected as the winner of the Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwright Award. All three will be presented with their awards and honored at the Players and at Signature Theatre during NTC's annual conference in New York October 26-28, 2012.
League of Professional Theatre Women To Host TURNING 30 In Duffy Square
On Wednesday, September 28th the League of Professional Theatre Women will kick-off the fifteen-month celebration of their 30th Anniversary with a special event, TURNING 30, in Duffy Square at 11am.
League of Professional Theatre Women Celebrates TURNING 30 at Duffy Square, 9/28
On Wednesday, September 28th the League of Professional Theatre Women will kick-off the fifteen-month celebration of their 30th Anniversary with a special event, TURNING 30, in Duffy Square at 11am. Co-hosted by Sirius/XM Radio's Julie James & Off-Broadway's Christine Pedi, the event will feature appearances by Emmy Award-winning actress/comedian Judy Gold (The Judy Show) & the Mamma Mia! 'Dynamos,' Carol Linnea Johnson, Corinne Melançon & Stacia Fernandez. Also attending will be some of LPTW 30th Anniversary Leading Ladies: Ruby Dee, Eve Ensler, Rosemary Harris, LaChanze, Elizabeth McCann, Estelle Parsons, Chita Rivera & Fran Weissler.
League of Professional Theatre Women To Host TURNING 30 In Duffy Square
On Wednesday, September 28th the League of Professional Theatre Women will kick-off the fifteen-month celebration of their 30th Anniversary with a special event, TURNING 30, in Duffy Square at 11am.
League of Professional Theatre Women Celebrates TURNING 30 at Duffy Square, 9/28
On Wednesday, September 28th the League of Professional Theatre Women will kick-off the fifteen-month celebration of their 30th Anniversary with a special event, TURNING 30, in Duffy Square at 11am. Co-hosted by Sirius/XM Radio's Julie James & Off-Broadway's Christine Pedi, the event will feature appearances by Emmy Award-winning actress/comedian Judy Gold (The Judy Show) & the Mamma Mia! 'Dynamos,' Carol Linnea Johnson, Corinne Melançon & Stacia Fernandez. Also attending will be some of LPTW 30th Anniversary Leading Ladies: Ruby Dee, Eve Ensler, Rosemary Harris, LaChanze, Elizabeth McCann, Estelle Parsons, Chita Rivera & Fran Weissler.
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