George MacPherson, Veteran Theater Executive Dies at 78

Veteran theatrical exec, George MacPherson, one of the last of the old school Broadway Producer/General Managers, died Wednesday, June 3 of lung cancer in Orangeburg, SC. He was 78

MacPherson, who most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Masque Sound, had a long, distinguished and varied career in the theater.

He started out in life as a veterinarian in West Virginia but his love for the performing arts and a brief stint caring for elephants and tigers for Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus, drew him to Broadway producing and managing the national tours of some of the top theatrical attractions of the 80s and 90s including The Secret Garden, Guys and Dolls, The Who's Tommy, Big River and Angels in America. He received three Helen Hayes Awards for his productions, the National Touring Council Award for Outstanding Service and The Medal of Merit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to the Arts in Canada on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of her Accession to the Throne. In 1992 he received The Broadway League's Distinguished Lifetime Service Award.

Mr. MacPherson also served as the personal manager to humorist Victor Borge and entertainer Harry Belafonte. But it was his work with American Theatre Productions with Tom Mallow that changed the Broadway Touring market as we know it today MacPherson was one of the pioneers in the evolution of the touring industry from 'national' tours followed by separate 'bus & truck' companies into the current unified model of first-class road productions performing in all markets. His commitment to producing and touring top-quality entertainment was critical to the growth of Broadway subscription series across the country and set the standard that is still seen on stages across America today.

What MacPherson is best known, and loved, for is his devotion to the creative staff, crew members, actors, musicians and other employees he has worked with over the years. Although MacPherson retired in 2000, His influence on the great white way can still be seen, heard and felt today among the hundreds of general managers, press agents, actors, company managers and stage crews that MacPherson mentored and befriended.

David Auster of 101 Productions, Ltd. worked for MacPherson from 1991 to 1995, and said, "My time working for George, both in his office and on the road, changed the course of my life and my career. He was beloved by the people who toured for him -- managers, actors and especially the crews -- and I've always considered myself privileged to be among the people that he took under his wing. Many of the people I met during that time remain among my closest friends and colleagues, and still aspire to build the sorts of relationships that came so naturally to George."

Survivors include his beloved wife Judith Winter MacPherson; three children, Duncan of Hartford, CT, Malcolm of Toronto, Canada, and Morag of Bloomfield, NJ; granddaughters, Annie and Emma Chrzczon of Bloomfield, NJ; a sister, Dee Deibel of San Rafael, CA; nephew Christopher Deibel (Lori) and grand niece Jenna of San Rafael, CA: nieces Deborah (John Jeffcott) of Novato, CA and Mme. Diane Breysse (Serge) of La Reunion Island (France).

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at the Dukes Harley Funeral Home, 3379 Columbia Road, Orangeburg, followed by internment at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Orangeburg. Visitation will be on Friday, June 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dukes Harley Funeral Home, 3379 Columbia Road, Orangeburg. Family will receive friends at the graveside service.

Memorials may be made to Maude Schiffley Chapter of S.P.C.A., PO Box 1584, Orangeburg, SC 29116