Marvin Hamlisch

The marquees of Broadway theaters in New York City were dimmed the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 8 in memory of composer Marvin Hamlisch, who collapsed and died Aug. 6 in Los Angeles after a brief illness. He was 68.
The prolific Hamlisch composed more than 40 film scores, including “The Way We Were” “Sophie’s Choice,” “Ordinary People,” and “The Sting.”
Hamlisch also composed pop songs writing the No. 1 R&B hit “Break It to Me Gently” with Carole Bayer Sager for Aretha Franklin. He co-wrote “One Song” sung by Tevin Campbell and produced by Quincy Jones, and “I Don’t Do Duets” sung by Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight.
Hamlisch’s interest in music started early. Born in New York city, he attended the Professional Children’s School, and at the age of 7, he entered the Juilliard School of Music, later attending Queens College. He was the rehearsal pianist for the Broadway production of “Funny Girl” with Barbra Streisand in 1964.
One of the most honored artists in history, Hamlisch won three Oscars, four Emmys, four Grammys, a Tony, a Pulitzer and three Golden Globes. He received both a Tony and the Pulitzer for “A Chorus Line” — the second longest-running show to run on Broadway.
Before his death Hamlisch was working on a new musical production of “The Nutty Professor,” directed by Jerry Lewis at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. But the show must go on…Last week’s performances of “The Nutty Professor” went on as scheduled to honor the composer.