Bob LuPone dies: founder of MCC Off-Broadway theater was 76 years old

Bob LuPone, Tony-nominated actor and founder of the MCC Off-Broadway Theater, has died. He was 76 years old. Patti LuPone’s brother has been fighting pancreatic cancer for three years.

“The MCC Theater community mourns the loss of our beloved and exceptionally inspiring partner, colleague and dear friend, Bob LuPone, who lived a fearless life with great curiosity, good humor, boundless passion for connection and a whole heart. We miss him very much and we will always miss him, ”MCC said in a statement.

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LuPone was born on July 29, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York, to Angela Lewis (known as Patty), a housewife, and Orlando Joseph LuPone, a school principal.

His passion for art was born at an early age. In sixth grade at her elementary school in North Port, Long Island, she saw her younger sister, Patti, dancing at the PTA dance concert in a colorful hula skirt. After telling her mother about her how she wanted to wear her skirt, she told her that if she wanted, she would have to enroll in a dance class, which she did the following year. She began taking classes after school before enrolling at the Martha Graham Studio, where she studied with Anthony Tudor, José Limón and Graham himself aged 15 to 18.

LuPone was accepted into Juilliard after a friend suggested an audition she improvised. She graduated with a BFA in Dance in 1968.

In 1966 he got his first job as part of an ensemble pajama set Liza Minnelli in the title role. He made his Broadway debut in 1968 in Noel Coward’s Sweet Potato and would appear on The Glass Boys, The Rothschilds and The Magic Show.

LuPone’s role in Al team line But when one of the actors left the show, he asked to audition for the role of Zack, which he got. The role earned LuPone a Tony nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Chorus Line opened at the People’s Theater before quickly moving to Broadway. At the 1976 ceremony, the production was nominated for 12 Tony Awards.

While teaching acting at New York University, one of his students was Bernie Telles, who would later form the Manhattan Classroom Company, now known as MCC Theater.

LuPone, Telsey and Will Cantler have been MCC’s successful guests for nearly 40 years, producing shows such as frozen, hand to god, students; or middle African girls game and Pulitzer Prize winner vitamin.

While serving as Co-Artistic Director of the MCC Theater, LuPone went on to perform in Broadway productions such as view from the bridge, the true westY a thousand clowns. He was also at the Chicago premiere of Sam Shepard. a guilty tooth and appeared on TV shows such as The Sopranos, sex and city, guiding light Y all my children for which he received a Daytime Emmy nomination.

LuPone leaves behind his wife Virginia, his son Orlando and his sister Pat, his brother William.