Dick Gallagher - R.I.P.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:44pm

I've never pasted another writers posts, but I felt I had to here - Thanks to Wayman Wong for noting the following at the 'OTHER' site.

"I'm sorry to report that the brilliant and beloved Dick Gallagher died today of pneumonia and kidney failure after a long illness. He was 49. Dick was the musical director and arranger for Patti LuPone, Karen Akers, Phillip Officer, David Staller, Helen Baldassare, Lina Koutrakos, Karen Mason, Liliane Montevecchi and so many more.

Gallagher, who grew up in Chicago's suburbs, went to Northwestern and University of Illinois. As a musical director, he won more MAC Awards (cabaret's highest honor) than any other in its history, and he played Carnegie Hall, the Algonquin, Rainbow & Stars, Town Hall, etc. And he wrote the words and music to 'Have I Got a Girl for You ... The Frankenstein Musical'; received a Richard Rodgers award for 'Whatnot,' and his show 'Whoop-Dee-Do' won the 1993 Outer Critics Circle Award. He and Mark Waldrop wrote the Drama Desk-winning score to 'When Pigs Fly,' and Bette Midler recorded one of its most touching tunes, 'Laughing Matters.' Dick was one of the gentlest, kindest and most multi-talented guys around, and he'll be greatly missed in the worlds of theater and cabaret.

A memorial service will be held Sun., Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home, 1076 Madison Ave. at 81st St. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Actors' Fund of America."

I'm very saddened by this. I always thought the WHEN PIGS FLY score to be severely underrated. Its an exceptionally moving (and funny) show that I would love to see revived, and it has lost not an iota of its timeliness and snap ("We Wear Our Vanity With Pride" and "You need US to Spell the USA" are among its memorable tunes) I have warm memories of its terrific original cast , especially Stanley Brojowski (what ever happened to him?!), Jay Rogers & John Tracey Eagan.

Updated On: 1/20/05 at 09:44 PM

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:51pm

NOOOOOOOOOO!

Oh, God, that just depressed the hell out of me. So very, very, very sad. He was an incredibly talented guy.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:43am

Memento Mori.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:47am

I'm very sorry to hear this. I loved "When Pigs Fly" and "Whoop-Dee-Doo."

I'm also incredibly sorry to read of a 49 year old dying of pneumonia and kidney failure after a long illness. I feel like I am in 1988 again.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:53am

"I'm also incredibly sorry to read of a 49 year old dying of pneumonia and kidney failure after a long illness. I feel like I am in 1988 again. "

Word.

Appearantly, Dick's partner Miles passed away in May, just when Dick became ill.

Posted: 1/21/05 at 6:18am

That is very sad news.

WHEN PIGS FLY and WHOOP-DE-DO are both very clever, and fun shows.

Gallagher's work was impressive.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 9:28am

How sad! As a great Patti LuPone fan, I've been at many of her concerts where Gallagher conducted the performance. He was even there to prompt her when she went up on lyrics.

May he rest in peace.