Arthur Rubin (theater producer)
Arthur Rubin | |
---|---|
Born | June 16, 1926 |
Died | July 22, 2023 Great Neck, New York, U.S. | (aged 97)
Occupation(s) | Actor, Producer, Theater Manager |
Arthur Rubin (born June 16, 1926) was an American actor, stage manager, and Tony Award-winning theatrical producer.
Performer and stage manager
[edit]Rubin began his professional career in the Radio City Music Hall glee club in 1950. The following year he made his Broadway debut in the revue Two on the Aisle—starring Bert Lahr and Dolores Gray—the first of numerous Broadway productions, including Can-Can, Silk Stockings, and The Most Happy Fella.[1]
To supplement his income as an actor, Rubin also worked as a stage manager and assistant stage manager on Broadway productions of Silk Stockings, The Most Happy Fella, The Music Man, Greenwillow, West Side Story, and Wildcat.[1][2]
Even after transitioning to producing, Rubin continued to perform periodically. From 1960 to 1980 Rubin appeared in the annual Milliken Breakfast Show, an industrial musical presented by Milliken & Company.[1] He lent his talents to two Mel Brooks films, appearing in The Producers as a would-be Hitler and dubbing Cary Elwes's singing in the title role of Robin Hood: Men in Tights.[3][4]
While Rubin was already vice president and general manager of the Nederlander Organization, he appeared in the 1985 Lincoln Center concert revival of Follies as Roscoe, and in 1991 he returned the role of Giuseppe in a revival of The Most Happy Fella at New York City Opera.[1]
Theater manager and Broadway producer
[edit]Following the closing of Here's Love in 1964 (a musical adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street), Rubin decided to focus on offstage roles: "I thought … I'm never going to make it as a lead and make the big money. But I think I can make it on the business side because I've always had a business sense."[1] That same year he worked on the general manager of the Broadway Theatre during the run of Folies Bergère.[5] Subsequently he worked as the general manager for the Lunt-Fontanne, Mark Hellinger, and Biltmore theaters.[6][7][8][9]
Rubin turned his hand to producing with the 1981 revival of Can-Can.[10] Over the next dozen years he was producer or associate producer for another 13 theatrical events on Broadway, including the infamous Legs Diamond, concerts by Shirley Bassey and Smokey Robinson, and revivals of Cafe Crown, Peter Pan, and Sweet Charity, winning a Tony Award for the latter.[11][12][13][14][15][16]
Nederlander Organization
[edit]Rubin joined the Nederlander Organization in 1975, first as general manager and eventually assuming the role of vice president.[6] Over this period Nederlander theaters hosted a wide variety of theatrical fare, notably Black and Blue, Fences, Lost in Yonkers, The Will Rogers Follies, as well as circus, dance, pop music, and revivals of Shakespeare, Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams.[2]
During his tenure the organization expanded its portfolio to include the Marquis Theatre, and conversely saw the lease and eventual sale of the Mark Hellinger Theatre to the Times Square Church.[11][17][18]
In 1992 the Nederlander Organization complained to the Manhattan District Attorney's office of $300,000 in missing box office receipts from its Lunt-Fontanne Theater, where the comedy Catskills on Broadway was running.[19] As supervisor of the Nederlander's box office operations, Rubin initially survived the subsequent corporate reorganization, but shortly after resigned "to pursue other personal business interests."[20][21]
Personal life and death
[edit]Rubin had four children. He died at the age of 97 in Great Neck, New York.[2][6]
Stage credits
[edit]As actor and stage manager
[edit]Year | Title | Role(s) | Venue | Refs. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1951 | Two on the Aisle | Conductor | Mark Hellinger Theatre, Broadway | [22] |
1953 | Can-Can | Policeman, Second | Shubert Theatre, Broadway | [23] |
1955 | Silk Stockings | Reporter; assistant stage manager | Imperial Theatre, Broadway | [24] |
1956 | The Most Happy Fella | Giuseppe; assistant stage manager | Imperial Theatre, Broadway | [25] |
1957 | Broadway Theatre, Broadway | |||
1957 | The Music Man | assistant stage manager | Majestic Theatre, Broadway | [26] |
1958 | The Most Happy Fella | Giuseppe (replacement) | US national tour | [27] |
1959 | Juno | Foley | Winter Garden Theatre, Broadway | [28] |
1960 | Greenwillow | stage manager | Alvin Theatre, Broadway | [29] |
1960 | West Side Story | understudy: Krupke, Gladhand; assistant stage manager | Winter Garden Theatre, Broadway | [30] |
1960 | Wildcat | stage manager | Alvin Theatre, Broadway | [31] |
1961 | Kean | Francis | Broadway Theatre, Broadway | [32] |
1963 | Here's Love | Tammany O'Halloran; stage manager | Shubert Theatre, Broadway | [32] |
1985 | Follies in Concert | Roscoe | Avery Fisher Hall | [1][33] |
1991 | The Most Happy Fella | Giuseppe | New York State Theater | [1][34] |
As producer
[edit]Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1967 | The Producers | Auditioning Hitler | |
1988 | Crossing Delancey | Happy Birthday Singer | |
1993 | Robin Hood: Men in Tights | Robin Hood (singing voice) |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1963 | Car 54, Where Are You? | Night Court Prisoner | Episode: "See You At The Bar Mitzvah" |
1964 | The Patty Duke Show | Pat | Episode: "The Drop Out" |
1965 | Mr. Brown | Episode: "Will The Real Sammy Davis Please Stand Up?" | |
1986 | Great Performances | Roscoe | Episode: "Follies in Concert" |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1984 | Drama Desk Award | Unique Theatrical Experience | La Tragédie de Carmen | Won | [37] |
1986 | Tony Award | Best Reproduction | Sweet Charity | Won | [16] |
1989 | Tony Award | Best Revival | Cafe Crown | Nominated | [53] |
1991 | Tony Award | Best Revival | Peter Pan | Nominated | [54] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Rothstein, Mervin (27 August 1991). "After a Gap Of 28 Years, A Tenor Sings Out". New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b c "Arthur Rubin – Broadway Cast & Staff". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "John Morris, Mel Brooks – Music And Dialogue From Mel Brooks' "The Producers"". Discogs. 1968. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Hummie Mann – Robin Hood: Men In Tights (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – CD (Album), 1993 [r658366". Discogs. 1993. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Folies Bergère [1964] – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b c "In Memoriam: Arthur Rubin". Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Marlene Dietrich – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Marlene Dietrich – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Cheaters – Broadway Play – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Can-Can – Broadway Musical – 1981 Revival". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b c Trott, William C. (20 February 1989). "'LEGS' LIMPS OFF BROADWAY". UPI. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Legs Diamond – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Shirley Bassey – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Smokey Robinson Plus Jean Carne – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Cafe Crown – Broadway Play – 1989 Revival". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Winners (1986)". The Tony Awards. American Theatre Wing. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Freedman, Samuel G. (10 November 1984). "NEDERLANDER IS OFFERED HOTEL THEATER RIGHTS". New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Collins, Glenn (7 December 1991). "Hellinger Theater Sold To Church". New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Collins, Glenn (21 March 1992). "Theft of Box-Office Receipts Is Reported at 'Catskills' Theater". New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ Collins, Glenn (11 April 1992). "Nederlanders Change Their Box-Office Boss". New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Nederlander Vice President Resigns". New York Times. 14 July 1992. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Two on the Aisle – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Can-Can – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Silk Stockings – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "The Most Happy Fella – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "The Music Man – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "The Most Happy Fella – Broadway Musical – Tour". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Juno – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Greenwillow – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "West Side Story – Broadway Musical – 1960 Revival". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ "Wildcat – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Kean – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Rich, Frank (9 September 1985). "STAGE: CONCERT VERSION OF 'FOLLIES' IS A REUNION". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Rothstein, Edward (6 September 1991). "Review/City Opera; Bride Arrives, Without Her Fidelity". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Can-Can – Broadway Musical – 1981 Revival". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Henahan, Donal (20 November 1983). "IT'S PETER BROOK'S 'CARMEN,' NOT BIZET'S OR MERIMEE'S". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ a b "La Tragedie de Carmen – Broadway Musical – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League.
- ^ Gussow, Mel (15 December 1984). "THEATER: DOUG HENNING OFFERS 'WORLD OF MAGIC'". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Doug Henning & His World of Magic – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Rich, Frank (28 April 1986). "STAGE: 'SWEET CHARITY,' A BOB FOSSE REVIVAL". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Sweet Charity – Broadway Musical – 1986 Revival". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Sweet Charity – Broadway Musical – 1987-1987 Tour (sic)". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Gussow, Mel (12 October 1987). "Theater: 'Mort Sahl'". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Mort Sahl on Broadway! – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Kenny Loggins on Broadway – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Winship, Frederick M. "'Legs Diamond,' one of the biggest flops in Broadway history". UPI. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Barry Manilow at the Gershwin – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Freddie Jackson: Up Close & Personal – Broadway Special – Original". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Rich, Frank (20 October 1989). "Review/Theater; Sexual Politics and Tango in 'Dangerous Games'". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Gussow, Mel (14 December 1990). "Review/Theater; And the Boy Still Won't Grow Up". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Girard, Jeremy (27 April 1993). "Ain't Broadway Grand". Variety. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ Gussow, Mel (19 April 1993). "Review/Theater; Mike Todd's Broadway In the Grand Old Days". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "The Tony Award Nominations (1989)". The Tony Awards. American Theatre Wing. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "The Tony Award Nominations (1991)". The Tony Awards. American Theatre Wing. Retrieved 28 April 2025.