Peter Neufeld, Broadway General Manager and Producer on Annie and Evita, Dies at 78
(photo courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown)
Peter Neufeld, a longtime Broadway general manager and producer, died January 27 at the age of 78 after a battle with Parkinson's disease. Neufeld had been living at the Lillian Booth Actors Home of the Actors Fund in Englewood, New Jersey.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 12, 1936, Neufeld was a graduate of the College of William and Mary. He began his theater career in 1968 as a company manager of Broadway shows. In 1971, he teamed up with R. Tyler Gatchell Jr. to found Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd., a general management and producing company whose first hit was that year's revival of No, No, Nanette, starring Ruby Keeler. It was also in 1971 that the pair began a relationship with Andrew Lloyd Webber, managing and associate producing the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and executive producing Evita, Starlight Express, Song and Dance, and Cats. Gatchell & Neufeld's clientele also included Annie, Sweeney Todd, Hurlyburly, Chess, and Crazy for You, among many other shows.
Neufeld closed the office following Gatchell's death in 1993 and turned his attentions to volunteerism, joining the staff of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in 1995. He was awarded a Tony Honor in 2005 for a lifetime of excellence in the theater.
Neufeld is survived by three nephews and their families. Contributions in his name may be made to the College of William and Mary, the Actors Fund, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
