Merle Louise
Merle Louise
Merle Louise#1
Posted: 1/16/25 at 6:26pm
I saw a post on social media that mentioned Merle Louise passed away earlier this week, though I haven’t heard or read anything else about it anywhere online. Is this true? I’ll be terribly sad if it is.
I was never fortunate enough to see her perform live, but I was always delighted to hear her voice on cast recordings when listening to them for the first time.
Understudy Joined: 10/1/23
Merle Louise#2
Posted: 1/16/25 at 7:00pm
What a shame the sites did not report this. She was a phenomenal performer originating many roles. I feel because her obit isn't her stage name it was not publicly known.
Rest in Peace
https://www.connellfuneral.com/obituaries/merle-simon
Merle Louise#3
Posted: 1/16/25 at 8:35pm
Thank you so much for posting this, I hadn't read anything about this sad news. In my opinion, no one rivaled her as the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd. I saw the show 27 times and she was riveting each time.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/3/05
Merle Louise#4
Posted: 1/16/25 at 8:43pm
Thank you for posting this.
I saw her in Sweeney Todd, La Cage aux Folles, Into the Woods, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
She was memorable each time.
Leading Actor Joined: 11/17/11
Merle Louise#5
Posted: 1/16/25 at 8:44pm
I remember her mostly as the understudy Grandma in Billy Elliot. I saw her perform the role at least a handful of times. May she rest in peace.
Merle Louise#6
Posted: 1/16/25 at 8:48pm
Mskuphantm said: "What a shame the sites did not report this. She was a phenomenal performer originating many roles. I feel because her obit isn't her stage name it was not publicly known.
Rest in Peace
https://www.connellfuneral.com/obituaries/merle-simon"
Thank you so much for finding and sharing that.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
Merle Louise#8
Posted: 1/17/25 at 9:26pm
In 1984 (!), Merle Louise did this fascinating video interview with Rian Keating about working on ''La Cage aux Folles,'' ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''Gypsy'' (with Ethel Merman). Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghc47NpZXRk
Merle Louise#9
Posted: 1/17/25 at 11:17pm
Did not know she had passed. I was lucky enough to see her in Sweeney Todd in 1979.
Wayman_Wong, thank you for posting that interview. It is very good and brought back a lot of memories of that time in the theatre and that time itself.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
Merle Louise#10
Posted: 1/17/25 at 11:24pm
Thank you for posting that interview. What a gloriously delicious woman she was and her joy in remembering her career stories was beyond infectious. She gave so many priceless behind-the-scenes nuggets during the interview from the legendary Broadway shows she was part of.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
Merle Louise#11
Posted: 1/18/25 at 3:25pm
Her hit rate was impeccable, oh my gosh.
Whether it's luck, taste, or a bit of both, her 7 Broadway credits were the original productions of:
- Gypsy
- Company
- Sweeney
- La Cage
- Into the Woods
- Kiss of the Spider Woman
- Billy Elliot
5 Best Musical winners. 4 Sondheims, a Kander & Ebb, a Jerry Herman, and an Elton John. Directed by such luminaries as Hal Prince (x3), Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, James Lapine, and Stephen Daldry.
Is she the Broadway equivalent of John Cazale (without her career being cut tragically short)?
Merle Louise#12
Posted: 1/18/25 at 10:01pm
Mskuphantm said: "What a shame the sites did not report this. She was a phenomenal performer originating many roles. I feel because her obit isn't her stage name it was not publicly known.
Rest in Peace
https://www.connellfuneral.com/obituaries/merle-simon"
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Original-GYPSY-Cast-Member-Merle-Louise-Dies-At-Age-90-20250116
Understudy Joined: 10/1/23
Merle Louise#14
Posted: 2/3/25 at 8:38pm
And finally, NYT
Merle Louise Simon, a Sondheim Mainstay, Is Dead at 90
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/theater/merle-louise-simon-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uU4.RnoF.7aB54sZKl6Dp
Videos
