Beatrice Winde, 79, Tony Nominated Actress
Beatrice Winde, an actress who worked in all media, yet was perhaps best known for her Tony Award-nominated performance in "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death" (1972), died at her home in New York City, Sat., Jan. 3. She was two days shy of her 80th birthday. The cause of death was cancer.
A Chicago native and a graduate of the Chicago Music Conservatory, Winde attended Yale School of Music before launching her acting career. In addition to receiving a Tony nomination for "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death," Winde garnered a Theatre World Award for that role. Later, she earned a Joseph Jefferson Award for her performance in Horton Foote's "The Young Man From Atlanta" when it premiered in Chicago before its 1997 Broadway run. Winde went on to Broadway to co-star in the play with Shirley Knight and Rip Torn.
Among the many regional theatres Winde performed in were Negro Ensemble Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, Signature Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, Arena Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Center Stage, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and McCarter Theatre.
Winde also appeared in a roster of films and the TV serial "Guiding Light." A memorial in New York is being planned.
Donald Leight, 80, Inspired 'Side Man'
Donald Leight, father of playwright Warren Leight and the inspiration for his son's Tony Award-winning play "Side Man," died Sat., Jan 3 in Manhattan. He was 80. The cause of death was pneumonia and complications from Parkinson's disease.
"Side Man," which was also a Pulitzer Prize finalist, depicts the life of a trumpet player who works as a sideman in a host of bands and has troubled family relations, largely because of his chosen career. As depicted in the play, he travels much of the time and makes little money.
Donald Leight, a Bronx native, played trumpet in Buddy Rich's big band and later performed and recorded with Woody Herman and Claude Thornhill, among others. At the Copacabana and the Persian Room, he accompanied such singers as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Lena Horne.
Don Atkinson, 63, Broadway Dancer
Don Atkinson, a performer who danced in 10 Broadway shows, most notably the original production of "Fiddler on the Roof," died in New York City on Sun., Jan. 11. He was 63. The cause of death has not yet been released.
In addition to appearing in "Fiddler," Atkinson danced in such Broadway shows as "The Happiest Girl in the World," "110 in the Shade," "Mr. President," "Ben Franklin in Paris," "Greenwillow," and "Wildcat."
Atkinson was raised in Louisville, Ohio where he played in the high school band and performed in school shows. At 18, he came to New York, where he met his wife, actress Peggy Atkinson, in the original "Fiddler." They were married 33 years and collaborated as a directing and choreographing team around the country. They were devotees of Maltese dogs.
Services are Sat., Jan. 31, 11 am, at the Marble Collegiate Church on 29th Street and Fifth Avenue. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Actors' Fund of America or Metro Maltese Rescue in Don Atkinson's memory.