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Theatre Lover's Journal for January 2000:
Norman Rothstein: Memories of a Quiet Giant
by John Kenrick
Unless you worked in the theatre over the last few decades, chances
are you have never heard of Norman Rothstein. However, if you went
anywhere near a Broadway show during the last forty years, you heard of his work. I
had the pleasure of knowing him when I was just getting started in the business. His death
at age 63 in late December reminded me how many people spend a lifetime playing a crucial
but invisible role in the theatre. The New York Times was right to call him "a
driving force" in the theatre. In fact, Norman Rothstein's career reflects most of
the core history of the musical theatre in the late 20th Century.
Born in Brooklyn, Norman studied theatre at the University
of Massachusetts. He got his start in the Army with troop shows, getting experience in
several Milwaukee theatres before coming to New York in the 1950's. There he worked as a
stage manager for My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and Who's Afraid
of Virginia Woolf? After managing the prestigious Mineola Playhouse – which brought
Broadway casts and national tours to Long Island in the 1960's – he became one of the
most sought-after general managers in the business. In that capacity, he handled the
day-to-day operations for hundreds of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions and national
tours. He also acted as executive producer for many of these shows.
The roster of musicals Norman handled is mind-boggling: Pippin,
Grease, Pirates of Penzance, On Your Toes, Tango Argentino, Hello Dolly with Carol
Channing, Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan, Black and Blue, to name just a
few. His wife, Julie Hughes, is one of the finest casting directors in the
business, having handled everything from Broadway to Hollywood the The
Cosby Show. In recent years, Norman was a governor of the League of
American Theatres and Producers, and a consultant on the renovation of the New Amsterdam
Theatre – as well as other theatre development projects in Houston, Miami and
Atlanta.
When I was getting my start as a theatrical assistant back
in 1986. Although we were not part of the same company, Norman shared the same office
space. He invited me to join him for lunch on a number of occasions, and I relished the
chance to share his vast store of experience and theatrical lore. His encouragement and
undying enthusiasm for the theatre impressed me deeply. When I had a crucial decision to
make regarding my own career, Norman made taking a risk sound like the most practical and
level-headed move imaginable – something I will be eternally grateful for. Our occasional
encounters in the years that followed were filled with the same abundant energy and
goodwill.
Norman Rothstein was involved in the production of over 300 plays and
musicals – the sort of career that few can hope to have anymore. Most importantly, he was
that rarest of creatures in any business, a true gentleman. Although he never achieved
personal fame, those of us in the business had infinite respect and affection for him. He
will be remembered, and deeply missed, for many years to come.
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