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Stuart J. Thompson, Award-Winning Broadway Producer, Dies at 62 Stuart J. Thompson, Award-Winning Broadway Producer, Dies at 62
(35 minutes later)
Stuart J. Thompson, a Tony Award-winning producer and manager of Broadway shows who brought a contemplative, low-key style to an industry known for its razzmatazz, and helped mount such hits as “The Book of Mormon,” died on Thursday. He was 62. Stuart J. Thompson, a Tony Award-winning producer and manager of Broadway shows who brought a contemplative, low-key style to an industry known for its razzmatazz, and helped mount such hits as “The Book of Mormon,” died on Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 62.
Mr. Thompson died at his apartment in Midtown Manhattan from complications of esophageal cancer, a spokesman, Chris Boneau, said in an email. The cause was complications of esophageal cancer, a spokesman, Chris Boneau, said in an email.
Mr. Thompson was a respected leader in the Broadway community, not only as a producer but also as a general manager of more than 70 Broadway, Off Broadway and national touring productions. Mr. Thompson was a respected leader in the theater community, not only as a producer but also as a general manager of more than 70 Broadway, Off Broadway and national touring productions.
In an industry filled with larger-than-life figures who reveled in the spotlight, he preferred to stay behind the scenes, but his sharp intellect, good taste and dedication made him an influential force. In an industry filled with larger-than-life figures who reveled in the spotlight, he preferred to stay behind the scenes, but his sharp intellect, good taste and dedication made him an influential force, his admirers said.
He enjoyed one-on-one lunches where he could tell stories, listen closely and dive into conversations, as opposed to loud parties where the chatter and din could dampen the experience.
The actress Patti LuPone, a friend of Mr. Thompson’s who worked with him on productions of “Master Class” and “The Old Neighborhood,” said he was a gentleman.The actress Patti LuPone, a friend of Mr. Thompson’s who worked with him on productions of “Master Class” and “The Old Neighborhood,” said he was a gentleman.
“That’s who he was in life and who he was in his profession,” she said in an interview on Saturday. “Stuart Thompson was the most dignified, generous man in the business. He elevated me.”“That’s who he was in life and who he was in his profession,” she said in an interview on Saturday. “Stuart Thompson was the most dignified, generous man in the business. He elevated me.”
His productions were nominated for 20 Tony Awards and won six, for productions that included “God of Carnage,” and “Death of a Salesman.”His productions were nominated for 20 Tony Awards and won six, for productions that included “God of Carnage,” and “Death of a Salesman.”
He produced the three longest-running plays on Broadway of the last 25 years: “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” “Proof” and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”He produced the three longest-running plays on Broadway of the last 25 years: “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” “Proof” and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
Mr. Thompson was also a producer of the repertory productions of “Waiting for Godot” and “No Man’s Land” at the Cort Theater in New York.Mr. Thompson was also a producer of the repertory productions of “Waiting for Godot” and “No Man’s Land” at the Cort Theater in New York.
In 2010, the Commercial Theater Institute honored him with its annual award for outstanding achievement in commercial theater producing.In 2010, the Commercial Theater Institute honored him with its annual award for outstanding achievement in commercial theater producing.
“Of all the talented producers and general managers on Broadway, Stuart Thompson is one of the busiest and smartest,” Charlotte St. Martin, who was the executive director and is now the president of the Broadway League, said at the time. “He knows the business, has a sincere passion for theater and is loved by all.”“Of all the talented producers and general managers on Broadway, Stuart Thompson is one of the busiest and smartest,” Charlotte St. Martin, who was the executive director and is now the president of the Broadway League, said at the time. “He knows the business, has a sincere passion for theater and is loved by all.”
Stuart James Thompson was born in Sydney, Australia, on July 8, 1955, the son of J.H. Barrington and Rosamund A. Thompson. He grew up in Adelaide, graduated from that city’s Flinders University and earned a master’s degree in arts administration from New York University.Stuart James Thompson was born in Sydney, Australia, on July 8, 1955, the son of J.H. Barrington and Rosamund A. Thompson. He grew up in Adelaide, graduated from that city’s Flinders University and earned a master’s degree in arts administration from New York University.
He worked at the Kennedy Center with the American National Theater from 1984-86.He worked at the Kennedy Center with the American National Theater from 1984-86.
The producers Robert Whitehead and Lewis Allen served as his mentors. Mr. Thompson’s first Broadway assignment was as general manager of Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” at the Music Box Theater in 1989. He formed Stuart Thompson Productions in 1993. The producers Robert Whitehead and Lewis Allen were his mentors. Mr. Thompson’s first Broadway assignment was as general manager of Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” at the Music Box Theater in 1989. He formed Stuart Thompson Productions in 1993.
He began his producing career on Broadway with David Mamet’s “The Old Neighborhood” and went on to co-produce “Not About Nightingales,” “The Play What I Wrote,” “The Retreat From Moscow” and “On Golden Pond.”He began his producing career on Broadway with David Mamet’s “The Old Neighborhood” and went on to co-produce “Not About Nightingales,” “The Play What I Wrote,” “The Retreat From Moscow” and “On Golden Pond.”
Mr. Thompson more recently served as executive producer for the American companies of “The Book of Mormon” and as a producer of the West End and Australian productions. Mr. Thompson was more recently executive producer for the American companies of “The Book of Mormon” and as a producer of the West End and Australian productions.
Scott Rudin and Anne Garefino, producers of the “The Book of Mormon,” said in a statement, “In this very small community, Stuart was always a huge figure.”
He was the American representative for several Australian theaters, including Black Swan State Theater Company, Melbourne Theater Company, Queensland Theater, State Theater Company of South Australia and Sydney Theater Company. He also served on the board of the Broadway League and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.He was the American representative for several Australian theaters, including Black Swan State Theater Company, Melbourne Theater Company, Queensland Theater, State Theater Company of South Australia and Sydney Theater Company. He also served on the board of the Broadway League and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Lorne Michaels, a producing partner with Stuart Thompson Productions of the upcoming musical “Mean Girls,” said in a statement that Mr. Thompson helped lead him and the actress and writer Tina Fey through the development of the show. Lorne Michaels, a producing partner with Stuart Thompson Productions of the forthcoming musical “Mean Girls,” said in a statement that Mr. Thompson helped lead him and the actress and writer Tina Fey through the development of the show.
David Stone, a producer of “Wicked,” described Mr. Thompson as “the smartest person in this business and, not incidentally, the funniest.” David Stone, a producer of “Wicked,” described Mr. Thompson as a “mentor” and “the smartest person in this business and, not incidentally, the funniest.”
He added: “His taste, his wit, his warmth, his generosity — the wonderful alchemy that made Stuart Thompson will not be seen again. As a mentor (as he was for me), as an industry leader, as a producer, his loss is incalculable.”
Mr. Thompson is survived by his husband, Joseph R. Baker III, and his brother, Graham Thompson.Mr. Thompson is survived by his husband, Joseph R. Baker III, and his brother, Graham Thompson.
The marquees of Broadway theaters will be dimmed in his memory for one minute at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the Broadway League said.The marquees of Broadway theaters will be dimmed in his memory for one minute at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the Broadway League said.