Shelly Gross

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Sheldon Harvey Gross (May 20, 1921 – June 19, 2009) was an American producer and promoter of concerts and theatrical performances, who developed a number of venues in suburban areas outside major cities on the East Coast together with Lee Guber, bringing major stars and diverse entertainment options to local areas that previously could only be seen in major cities at significantly higher prices.

Early life and education

Gross was born on May 20, 1921, in

Central High School, where he met future partner Lee Guber after the two were seated next to each other in alphabetical order, graduating as valedictorian. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942 with a Phi Beta Kappa key, he attended Harvard Law School, but dropped out after coming to the realization that he didn't want to be a lawyer. He enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a communications officer in the South Pacific and attaining the rank of Lieutenant. After completing his military service, Gross attended Northwestern University, graduating in 1947 with a master's degree in journalism.[1][2]

Television

His first media job was in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he was a newscaster on station WFPG-TV. He took a spot at WFIL in Philadelphia, where was recognized as 1954's TV Guide Announcer of the Year.[2] Gross was looking to shift out of television, recalling that the station "had me selling storm windows and beer", making him frustrated by the lack of creativity his position offered.[3]

Theatrical production

Gross had remained friendly with Guber, and together with

theater in the round style.[1] The Valley Forge location was shuttered in 1996, leaving Gross conflicted, stating that "Well, it's like watching your mother-in-law drive off a cliff in your brand-new Mercedes – mixed emotions."[2]

An abandoned lime pit in

Similar facilities established by the team included the Painters Mill Music Fair outside of

Yul Brenner-led production of The King and I that debuted in 1977 and ran for nearly 700 performances.[1]

Personal

He had moved to

Lower Merion, Pennsylvania 1951, remaining there until 2003, when he relocated to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.[3] In Florida, he became involved with, and helped raise funds for, the non-profit regional theater, Palm Beach Dramaworks, located in downtown West Palm Beach.[2]

Gross enjoyed fishing and playing chess. He also wrote several novels, including Havana X, Roots of Honor and Stardust.[2] His 1978 book Havana X was about a CIA plot to assassinate Fidel Castro by taking out a Mafia contract at a cost of two million dollars on the Cuban leader, and was described in a brief review in The New York Times (to paraphrase) as an action-filled manhunt with a somewhat contrived ending, noting that he "writes well and has a cynical view of the men who run the world."[6]

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia [1] named Gross their Person of the Year in 1995 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 1999.

Gross died at age 88 on June 19, 2009, in Palm Beach Gardens due to bladder cancer. He was survived by his wife, the former Joan Seidel, as well as three sons and four grandchildren.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Hevesi, Dennis. "Shelly Gross, Producer for Broadway and Suburbs, Dies at 88", The New York Times, June 25, 2009. Accessed June 25, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e Morrison, John F. "Shelly Gross, 88, Music Fair co-founder", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 23, 2009. Accessed June 25, 2009.
  3. ^
    Philadelphia Inquirer
    , June 23, 2009. Accessed June 26, 2009.
  4. ^ Delatiner, Barbara. "20 Years at the Fair; 20 Years at the Fair Music for Many", The New York Times, September 12, 1976. Accessed June 25, 2009.
  5. ^ "SFX Entertainment acquires Westbury Music Fair", Thomson M&A, January 13, 1998. Accessed June 25, 2009.
  6. ^ Callendar, Newgate. "Crime", The New York Times, June 25, 1978. Accessed June 26, 2009.