Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:43am
Just a heartbreaking day. May his memory be a blessing.
https://extratv.com/2024/09/30/ken-page-broadway-wiz-aint-misbehavin-cats-obituary/
Posted: 10/1/24 at 1:57am
Oh, man. This HURTS. As a StL resident the past few years, I’ve been able to see Ken in multiple St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concerts, and most recently this summer in Les Mis at The Muny which must have been his final stage appearance. He had an enormous presence in our city and will be sorely missed. Two devastating losses for the theater community in the past 24 hours.
Updated On: 12/8/24 at 01:57 AM
Posted: 10/1/24 at 2:12am
I just saw him at CATS over the summer on a day he was judging. This is just another kick in the rubber parts I didn’t need.
May he rest in power.
Posted: 10/1/24 at 3:36am
Just more horrible news. Ken was an electric talent. May he live on forever scaring new kids every Halloween and Christmas. And hopefully more and more of them grow up to discover the rest of his work like I did.
Posted: 10/1/24 at 4:57am
Oh what a heartbreaking to lose such talent. It's hard to imagine Broadway without him. Rest in peace.
Posted: 10/1/24 at 5:30am
I had no idea he was so young when he did Cats - is my math correct he was 28???
Posted: 10/1/24 at 6:11am
What a voice he had, he sang my favorite "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat". What a terrible September
Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:18am
I remember seeing CATS early in its original run. Ken, as Old Deuteronomy, would stay on stage during intermission and you could walk up and interact with him. I was probably 11 or 12. He was so kind and welcoming. Saw him in several things after that but never forgot that day.
Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:20am
quizking101 said: "I just saw him at CATS over the summer on a day he was judging. This is just another kick in the rubber parts I didn’t need.
May he rest in power."
I was at that performance, too! De Shields bowing to him was very moving. Can't believe we lost him and Gavin on the same day- two far too-soon losses.
Posted: 10/1/24 at 2:32pm
FANtomFollies said: "I had no idea he was so young when he did Cats - is my math correct he was 28???"
Yes, and a mere 22 in GUYS & DOLLS!!
What a great career and talented man.
I've always hoped that someday we'd get a stage adaptation of Nightmare Before Christmas where Ken could have reprised his role.
Updated On: 10/1/24 at 02:32 PM
Posted: 10/1/24 at 6:31pm
Well we kinda did, at least, with the screenings of the movie accompanied by live orchestra and original cast. I saw him reprise his Oogie Boogie there, and he was great!
RIP
Posted: 10/1/24 at 6:34pm
There’s a great recording of his solo show Page by Page, where he talks about his life and career and sings quite a bit as well.
Posted: 10/1/24 at 11:30pm
This one really hurt to be honest. My grandma introduced me to Nightmare Before Christmas and Cats at essentially the same time growing up around 1999/2000. Playing both The Evil and The Father. Ken's voice has always been a constant for me and there is nobody like him. And you can see it in face the joy that performing brought him.
ChrisTyler1288 said: "There’s a great recording of his solo show Page by Page, where he talks about his life and career and sings quite a bit as well."
Would you happen to have a link to this?
Posted: 10/2/24 at 7:12am
I first discovered Ken Page on the Guys & Dolls revival album. RIP
Posted: 10/2/24 at 9:37am
He tells a very interesting story in his show about his experience doing Guys & Dolls and how a lot of the theatre community was really against an all-Black production. People would call the box office to buy tickets and be told the show was sold out, but the theatre would be at half-capacity. Sad.
Posted: 10/4/24 at 7:01am
His songs on the AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' recording are pure magic. Didn't he direct productions of Ain't Misbehavin' later in his career?
