Robert LuPone, who as an actor earned a Tony nomination in the original run of “A Chorus Line” and went on to help found and lead the influential off-Broadway theater company MCC Theater for almost 40 years, has died. He was 76.
“The MCC Theater community mourns the loss of our much loved and uniquely inspiring partner, colleague and dear friend, Bob LuPone, who lived fearlessly and with great curiosity, good humor, a boundless passion for connection, and a whole lot of heart. We will miss him deeply and always,” the theater company said in a statement.
LuPone was initially cast as Al in “A Chorus Line,” but convinced creator and director Michael Bennett to let him play Zach after the original actor left. LuPone would earn a best featured actor Tony nomination for the role. He was teaching an acting class at New York University when one of his students was Bernie Telsey. Together they would help form Manhattan Class Company in 1986 — known today as MCC Theater.
Rlp
My condolences to the entire LuPone family. Bob (our Apostle James in the film JCSuperstar) was a kind & gentle spirit with a great sense of humor. One of the best performers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.Bob always did everything to the very best of his ability. RIP