Photos: Orbach Rechristening at Snapple Center

On June 21st,  the Snapple Theater Center - currently home to the Off-Broadway revival of The Fantasticks and to the long-running mystery Perfect Crime - named once of its two stages after the late Broadway legend Jerry Orbach, who created the role of El Gallo in The Fantasticks' original 1960 production.  A rehearsal studio was also named after Orbach's widow Elaine Cancilla-Orbach. 

A renaming ceremony for the theatre and studio featured the participation of Sam Waterston, Karen Ziemba, Christian Hoff, Bebe Neuwirth, Len Cariou, Judy Kaye, Celeste Holm and others.

Orbach was a beloved Broadway leading man who originated roles in Carnival, Promises, Promises, 42nd Street, and Chicago. He also appeared on Broadway in Threepenny Opera, The Natural Look, the 1966 revival of Annie Get Your Gun, and the 1965 revival of Guys and Dolls, among others. His many other film and TV credits included "Murder, She Wrote," Crimes and Misdemeanors, Last Exit to Brooklyn and Brewster's Millions. Orbach passed away at the age of 69 on December 28th, 2004.  

Visit www.snapple.com/theater for more on the Snapple Theater Center.

Elaine Cancilla-Orbach and Bebe Neuwirth

Judy Kaye, Elaine Cancilla-Orbach, Anita Gillette and Len Cariou

Len Cariou

Elaine Cancilla-Orbach, Tom Jones and Judy Kaye

Judy Kaye and David Green

Anita Gillette, Len Cariou and Jamie deRoy

Catherine Russell and Tamara Tunie

Sam Waterston

Sam Waterston and Tamara Tunie

Elaine Cancilla-Orbach

Sam Waterston, Elaine Cancilla-Orbach and Christian Hoff

Sam Waterston and Christian Hoff 

Valerie Smaldone and Karen Ziemba

Valerie Smaldone and Karen Ziemba

Celeste Holm and Christian Hoff

Celeste Holm and Valerie Smaldone

Catherine Russell and Valerie Smaldone

Sisters: Margaret Russell of Elle Decor Magazine and TV's "Top Design," and Catherine Russell of Perfect Crime

Karen Ziemba

Karen Ziemba

Tom Jones

Bebe Neuwirth

Elaine Cancilla-Orbach

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