Theater News

Composer/Lyricist Richard Adler Has Died

Richard Adler
Richard Adler

Tony Award winner Richard Adler passed away on the evening of Thursday, June 21, at his home in Southampton, New York. He was 90.

Adler won Tony Awards for co-composing the music and lyrics to the Tony-winning musicals The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. He was also Tony-nominated for his score to Kwamina. Among his best known songs are “You Gotta Have Heart,” “Hernando’s Hideaway,” “Whatever Lola Wants,” and “Steam Heat.”

He also served as a producer, and during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, he produced numerous presidential entertainments, including the birthday celebration for President Kennedy that featured Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.”

Adler is a member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and among his other honors are an ASCAP-Richard Rodgers Award, the National Parks Service Honorary Ranger Award, and an honorary doctorate from Wagner College.

He is survived by his wife, Susan A. Ivory; his children, Andrew Adler, Katherine Adler, and Charles Shipman; and his grandchildren, Damien and Scarlett Adler and Lola Jane Shipman.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, June 27 at 4pm at St. Bartholomew’s Church (325 Park Avenue in New York City). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Park Trust by clicking here or by mailing a donation to 401 East Jefferson Street, Suite 109, Rockville, MD, 20850.