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.

[Wayman_Wong]

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

Updated On: 1/17/25 at 09:26 PM

[uncageg]

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.

[BrodyFosse123]

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. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

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:

1. Gypsy
2. Company
3. Sweeney
4. La Cage
5. Into the Woods
6. Kiss of the Spider Woman
7. 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)?

Updated On: 1/18/25 at 03:25 PM

[Robbie2]

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

[Mskuphantm]

Posted: 1/19/25 at 8:29pm

That's great BWW eventually posted one.  

[MezzA101]

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