Tony-winning director Frank Galati (Ragtime, Grapes of Wrath) has passed away

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/3/23 at 12:20am

Per Jason Danieley on Instagram.

Frank Galati won two Tonys for the Steppenwolf production of GRAPES OF WRATH, and his other Broadway shows included RAGTIME, THE PIRATE QUEEN and SEUSSICAL. Just last April, Frank directed Ahrens & Flaherty's latest musical, KNOXVILLE, at Asolo Rep. He was also a Steppenwolf ensemble member, and was nominated for an Oscar for co-writing the screenplay of Lawrence Kasdan's THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST.

He was 79. RIP, Frank, and thanks for the beautiful work.

Updated On: 1/3/23 at 12:20 AM

[lily carver]

Posted: 1/3/23 at 12:11pm

I grew up in Chicago and while Mr. Galati is better known as a director and writer he was at truly great actor. He played Henry Carr in a 1979 production of TRAVESTIES that literally changed my life and turned me into a theater nerd. I also saw a terrific production of 1776 he directed just a few years ago in Sarasota.

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/3/23 at 12:46pm

I did not particularly like Knoxville — issues with the book and score — but I thought the direction was outstanding.  His direction of Ragtime was perfection, alas in a season with three brilliantly directed musicals, The Loin King, the Mendes Cabaret and Ragtime.  The Grapes of Wrath was also a great experience.  

I live in Sarasota in the winter and was always happy to see the occasional Asolo Rep production directed by him.

Rest in Peace

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/3/23 at 1:53pm

It's especially a bummer that his last two main stem outings had him replaced in the middle of the process. Rob Marshall (whose sister, Kathleen was already choreographing) was brought in to fix Seussical for its Broadway run while Graciela Danielle was brought on board to restage a lot of The Pirate Queen.

[CoercedBull]

Posted: 1/3/23 at 6:19pm

I live in Chicago, and I can say his influence on this city's theater scene looms large. I love the cast recording for Knoxville, and I hope his death doesn't affect the future of that show too significantly--I'm dying to see it.

RIP.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/3/23 at 7:34pm

CoercedBull said: "I love the cast recording forKnoxville, and I hope his death doesn't affect the future of that show too significantly"

With all respect, does that show have a future? This doesn't seem like the type of show that goes any further than an off-Broadway nonprofit at best, with or without him at the helm. It doesn't scream commercially viable.

[CoercedBull]

Posted: 1/3/23 at 11:27pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "CoercedBull said: "I love the cast recording forKnoxville, and I hope his death doesn't affect the future of that show too significantly"

With all respect, does that show have a future? This doesn't seem like the type of show that goes any further than an off-Broadway nonprofit at best, with or without him at the helm. It doesn't scream commercially viable."

I certainly don't think it has a future on Broadway, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a future at all. I'd love to see it have more regional productions, or even, as you suggested, an off-Broadway run. If anything like that were to happen, it'll be a shame that Galati won't be around to see it or--if the show needs it--tweak the book.