Broadway Manager, Producer and BC/EFA Activist Peter Neufeld Passes Away at 78

A successful Broadway company manager, general manager and producer for more than 20 years, Peter Neufeld passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's disease this morning, January 27, 2015, at The Actors Fund's Lillian Booth Residence in Englewood, NJ, where he had been living since 2007. He was 78.

Born December 12, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York, Neufeld began his career in the theatre in 1968 as a company manager of Broadway shows. In 1971, in partnership with R. Tyler Gatchell, Jr., he founded the long-running General Management and Producing company, Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd.

In their 24-year partnership together, Gatchell and Neufeld were involved in more than 100 productions, beginning with No, No, Nanette, starring Ruby Keeler, in 1971.

Also in 1971, Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd. began a long relationship with the composer and producer, Andrew Lloyd Webber. In addition to General Management of the following Lloyd Webber shows, they were Associate Producers of Jesus Christ Superstar (1971), and Executive Producers of Evita (1979), Starlight Express (1987), Song and Dance (1985), and Cats (1982).

Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd. credits also include Murder Among Friends (1975), Annie (1977), Sweeney Todd (1979), Oliver! (1984), Hurlyburly (1984), Precious Sons (1986), Chess (1988), BornYesterday (1989), Shirley Valentine (1989), Lettice and Lovage (1990), and Crazy for You (1992).

Following the death of his partner, R. Tyler Gatchell, Jr., in 1993, Mr. Neufeld closed Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd. He turned his attentions to serving the theatre industry as a volunteer at a number of AIDS organizations. In 1995, he joined the professional staff of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

In 2005, Mr. Neufeld was awarded a Tony Honor for a lifetime of excellence in the theater.

He was a graduate of the College of William and Mary. Mr. Neufeld is survived by three nephews and their families.

Contributions in Peter's name may be made to The College of William and Mary, The Actors Fund, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.