Merle Louise

[TBone]

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. 
  

Updated On: 1/16/25 at 06:26 PM

[Mskuphantm]

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

Updated On: 1/16/25 at 07:00 PM

[EthelMae]

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. 

[nmartin]

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.

[CJRochester]

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. 

[TBone]

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. 

 

[devonian.t]

Posted: 1/17/25 at 2:11am

A Broadway legend.