Rusty Magee
Rusty Magee | |
---|---|
New York City, New York, U.S. | |
Occupation(s) | Comedian, actor, composer/lyricist |
Spouse | Alison Fraser (1984–2003; his death) |
Children | 1 |
Benjamin Rush "Rusty" Magee (August 6, 1955 – February 16, 2003) was an accomplished comedian, actor and composer/lyricist for theatre, television, film and commercials.[1]
Biography
Early life
Magee was born in
Career
In 1981, Magee and friend Rob Barron wrote 1919: A Baseball Opera,[2] based on the infamous Black Sox Scandal. The musical premiered in June 1981 at Yale Repertory Theater and was reviewed in Sports Illustrated by Robert Creamer.
Magee eventually moved to New York, where he became an accomplished composer and lyricist for theatre, television, and film and commercials. He was also an established comedian who lampooned popular musicians and musical genres. He often concluded his act with a rendition of
In 1986, Magee appeared in a bit part (as a comedian named Ronnie) in Woody Allen's film
In 1995, Magee wrote the music and lyrics for
With Moonwork Theatre Company, Magee composed music for Off-Broadway adaptations of
His cabaret anthem, "New York Romance", was performed at
Family
In 1984, he married actress Alison Fraser; the couple had one son, Nathaniel.
Sweet Appreciation and Death
A year before Magee died, a celebration of his life and work was held at the West Bank Cafe in Manhattan. The concert was hosted by Lewis Black and featured Magee's songs performed by Rebecca Luker, Alison Fraser and Mary Testa. Rupert Holmes serenaded the honoree with creep-song "
Accolades and Affiliations
He belonged to
Legacy and Tributes
In the fall of 2008, Alison Fraser and Mary Testa performed a tribute show called Together Again at the West Bank Cafe's Laurie Beechman Theatre.[3]
A YouTube archive of Magee's work was launched in 2013 and was featured in a Playbill.com article.
On January 20, 2019, another tribute concert called Rusty Revisited was performed at 54 Below, featuring Tony Award winner Daisy Eagan.[4]
In December 2023, Magee and Billy Aronson's children's opera Flurry Tale was adapted as Vinteryra and performed at Malmö Opera.[5]
References
- ^ New York Times obituary
- ^ "1919: A Baseball Opera by Rusty Magee (1981)". 1988.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (25 November 2008). "Show Tunes in Zany, Chatty, Romantic and Distinctly New York Hues". The New York Times.
- ^ "Feinstein's/54 Below Will Hold Rusty Magee Tribute Show". 20 December 2018.
- ^ "Vinteryra". 15 November 2022.
External links
- Official site
- Official Video Archive
- Rusty Magee at the Internet Broadway Database
- Rusty Magee at the Internet Off Broadway Database
- Rusty Magee at IMDb