Set Designer David I. Mitchell Passes Away at 79

David I. Mitchell died yesterday, October 3, in California at the age of 79 due to cancer. Mr. Mitchell designed more than 30 Broadway shows, was nominated for seven Tony awards and won two for ANNIE and BARNUM.

He was born in Honesdale, Pa., and attendEd Kutztown State Teachers College. After two years in the U.S. Army, Mr. Mitchell began studying theatre design as a graduate student at Boston University. His teacher there was Horace Armistead, a designer for theatre, opera and ballet and the winner of the first Tony Award given for set design.

In New York, Mr. Mitchell worked for several years as an assistant to Ming Cho Lee, and through him began a long-time association with Joseph Papp, designing sets both for Shakespeare in the Park and at The Public Theatre. At the New York City Ballet, he designed works for Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine, as well as the recent full-length Sleeping Beauty.

His opera designs included works at the New York City Opera and other U.S. opera houses as well Deutsche Oper in Berlin. His films include My Dinner With Andre. He is survived by his daughter Jenny Lee Mitchell, his son David N. Mitchell and daughter-in-law Christie Mitchell, all of New York City.