Gene Frankel

Gene Frankel was an American director, producer, and teacher, born on May 23, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York. He began his career as a stage actor in the 1940s before transitioning to directing in the 1950s. Frankel was known for his experimental and avant-garde approach to theater, often incorporating multimedia elements into his productions.

Frankel's Broadway credits include directing the original production of "The Young Abe Lincoln" in 1961, which starred Frank Langella in his Broadway debut. He also directed "The Chinese Prime Minister" in 1964, which starred Rex Harrison and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.

In addition to his work on Broadway, Frankel was a prolific director Off-Broadway, where he was known for his collaborations with playwrights such as Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson, and Murray Schisgal. He directed the original productions of Shepard's "Curse of the Starving Class" and "The Tooth of Crime," as well as Wilson's "The Rimers of Eldritch" and "Balm in Gilead."

Frankel was also a passionate teacher, founding the Gene Frankel Theatre and Workshop in 1949. The theater served as a space for Frankel to experiment with new techniques and approaches to theater, while also providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work. Over the years, Frankel taught and mentored countless actors and directors, including Bette Midler, Anne Bancroft, and Barbara Barrie.

In addition to his work in theater, Frankel also directed several films, including "The Stripper" (1963) and "A Walk with Love and Death" (1969), both of which starred Anjelica Huston.

Frankel continued to work in theater and film throughout his career, earning critical acclaim for his productions of "The Balcony" and "The Maids" in the 1980s. He also directed the 1985 film "The Naked Face," which starred Roger Moore and was based on the novel by Sidney Sheldon.

Gene Frankel passed away on April 20, 2005, at the age of 81. His legacy lives on through the countless artists he mentored and the groundbreaking productions he directed.