Leonard Gershe, 79, Playwright
Leonard Gershe, whose play "Butterflies Are Free" ran over three years and 1,100 performances on Broadway—and launched the career of Blythe Danner—died March 9 in Beverly Hills, Cal. from complications resulting from a stroke. He was 79.
The story of Don Baker, a young blind man from Westchester who, against his overprotective mother's will, moves to Manhattan, was popular from the moment it opened in 1969. Keir Dullea played Don; Danner received a Tony Award as Don's dippy next-door neighbor; and Eileen Heckart received a Tony nomination for her performance as the mother. Heckart also went on to win an Academy Award when she reprised her role in the film version of the play, which Gershe adapted himself.
Two years into the Broadway run, Gloria Swanson replaced Heckart, extending the play's life another year.
Gershe also wrote material for "Alive and Kicking" and "Horse Opera," two 1948 shows, plus the book for the 1959 musical "Destry Rides Again," featuring a Harold Rome score and starring Dolores Gray and Andy Griffith. Other screenplays included "Funny Face" and "Silk Stockings."
Gerard W. Purcell, 86, NCOPM President
Gerard W. Purcell, president of the National Conference of Personal Managers for two decades, died March 17. He was 86 and had been ailing for two years.
Before launching his half-century career in the entertainment industry, Purcell, a Staten Island native, served in the fire department and also enjoyed a brief stint in advertising. In television production, Purcell co-produced shows for Perry Como, Red Skelton, and other small screen pioneers.
Later, as president of Gerard W. Purcell Associates, he served as business and personal manager for musician Al Hirt, writer Maya Angelou, songwriter Gale Garnett, and poet Rod McKuen. Purcell had been Eddy Arnold's manager for 35 years.
Purcell was also active in recording and music publishing. Numbering among the stars he worked with: Perry Como on the number-one hit "Far Away Places," Doris Day on "Love Somebody," and Olivia Newton-John on "I Honestly Love You."
He served as an exclusive entertainment consultant for 22 symphonies, cruise lines, casinos, and theatres. And he produced more than 4,000 concerts in hundreds of venues with such artists as Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, John Denver, Loretta Lynn, Tom Jones, Bob Newhart, and Andy Williams.
