See index for CTFT sketch: Born December 16, 1905 (some sources say 1900 or 1910), in New York, NY; died April 4, 1999, in Manhattan, NY. Actress and play producer. Although Lortel started her career as a stage actress, shedeveloped a talent for stage production that helped the careers of many up and coming professionals and improved the credibility of off-Broadway productions. Lortel made her stage debut in the 1925 production of Caesar and Cleopatra. In 1947 Lortel was asked by peers to produce a new play titled The Painted Wagon; it debuted in what went on to become the successful White Barn Theater in Connecticut. In 1955 Lortel took over the Theatre de Lys (later named the Lucille Lortel Theater) and put the theatre on the road to success with a well-received production of Threepenny Opera. Lortel mentored young actors and actresses and established funding for their support. She was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 1990. Lortel's stage credits include As Is(Lyceum Theatre, 1985), Blood Knot(John GoldenTheatre, 1985) and An Evening with Ekkehard Schall(Harold Clurman Theatre, 1985).
OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES
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