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Todd Himes, who built New York’s Roundabout Theater Company into one of the leading nonprofit theaters in the city and in the country, died today at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York of complications from osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. He was 66 years old.
Vertigo spokesman Matt Polk announced his death. Himes was first diagnosed with jaw sarcoma in 2002.
As Artistic Director and Executive Director of Roundabout, Himes oversaw one of the most prolific and successful of all Broadway and Off Broadway theater companies, responsible for such acclaimed productions as the man who came to dinner, starring Nathan Lane (2000), Big river (2004), Pajama game (2006), in the twentieth century (2015), Long day trip into night (2016) and Soldier play (2020), among many others. Among her most recent Broadway productions is a revival 1776 And Caroline, or changeBeside Christmas candles Starring Debra Messing and her critically acclaimed productions Minutes And mind problem.
Under his leadership, Vertigo has garnered 34 Tony Awards, 58 Desk Drama Awards, 73 Outer Critics Circle Awards, 21 Lucille Lortel Awards, and 14 Opie Awards.
With three venues on Broadway—American Airlines Theatre, Studio 54 and the Stephen Sondheim Theater—and two off-Broadway venues at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Theater Center, Vertigo is by any definition one of the most influential producers and presenters in town. from the working stage.
Audra McDonald and Todd Himes at the 2016 Roundabout 50th Anniversary Gala (Credit: Walter McBride/WireImage)
Himes opened Roundabout’s first Broadway home at the Criterion Center in 1991, and saw early triumphs such as Anna Christiestarring Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson, and the first New York revival She loves meboth in 1993. With a $24 million capital campaign to renovate the historic Selwyn Theater at 42nd Street, the Roundabout acquired what is now its flagship Broadway home, the American Airlines Theatre.
Among Vertigo’s greatest successes is the 1998 revival of Cabaret directed by Sam Mendes and co-directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall. After a construction accident the environmental space where suddenly closed nightclub While it was playing, Himes set about renovating the former dance club Studio 54, where Cabaret ran until 2003. During its run, Roundabout negotiated the purchase of the venue, making it the company’s second Broadway venue.
At Studio 54, Himes produced songs such as the killers (2004) and Kiss me, Kate (2019).
Himes with “Caroline or Change” composer Janine Tesori and songwriter/writer Tony Kushner, Studio 54 2021 (Credit: Bruce Glikas/Getty Images)
In 2009, Roundabout took over the operation of the Henry Miller Theater on Broadway, renaming it the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, where Haimes has produced such Tony-winning hits. Anything goes (2011). The place is currently home to hit music and juliet.
Born in New York City, Himes is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University School of Management. He was survived by his wife, Jane Marie Himes. daughter, Hilary Himes, and her husband, Jonathan Salk; son of Andrew Himes and his wife, Stacy Himes; Four grandchildren and two daughters-in-law, Julia and Kiki Baron.
. “Professional creator. Lifelong thinker. Reader. Beer buff. Troublemaker. Evil problem solver.”