R.I.P. Barry Dennen

Veteran actor Barry Dennen has passed away…
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/JESUS-CHRIST-SUPERSTARs-Barry-Dennen-Passes-Away-at-Age-79-20170926

Dennen had originated the role of the Master of Ceremonies in the original West End production of Cabaret opposite Judi Dench as Sally Bowles. He then went on to originate the role of Pontius Pilate in the original concept album of Jesus Christ Superstar, which he also got to reprise on Broadway and on the big screen.

Among his other film credits, he played Mendel, the Rabbi’s son in the film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, as well as having small roles in The Shining, Ragtime, The Dark Crystal, Trading Places, Superman III, and Titanic.

And of course he arguably is the man who launched Barbra Streisand's career by mentoring, coaching, selecting material and helping to mold all her earliest Cabaret appearances when she was just starting out in NYC. The two had a mercurial relationship over the decades and he wrote an interesting book about their experiences.

Updated On: 9/26/17 at 01:49 PM

I never saw him on stage, but his performance as Pilate in the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar has stuck in my head for decades. I can still hear the beginning, 'Who is this broken man, cluttering up my hallway.' He is both bemused and genuinely disturbed, and that frustrated sense that he's a tool in a much bigger game that he doesn't understand builds to genuine anguish by the end.

It's probably one of my favorite supporting roles in any movie musical. It's just a masterful performance, beginning to end.

Updated On: 9/26/17 at 03:04 PM

This is how I know him, from almost half a century ago.