A public memorial for stage manager Thomas J. Gates will be held at the St. James Theatre July 15, at 2 PM.
Prior to his sudden passing in May, Mr. Gates was the production stage manager of Broadway's Illinoise, which currently occupies the St. James. He was 51 years old.
Illinoise Production Stage Manager Thomas J. Gates Dies at 51
A treasured member of the theatre community, Mr. Gates was a familiar face backstage at some of Broadway's biggest hits, including Waitress, Newsies, and Hairspray. On Broadway, he also worked on the original Broadway productions of Brooklyn, The Visit, and High Fidelity, and on revivals of Finian's Rainbow, Noises Off, and Pippin.
On tour, he led productions of White Christmas, Chicago, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Grease, with countless regional credits in between.
Mr. Gates is survived by husband Rick Steiger, who is also a stage manager. A GoFundMe campaign was launched by Broadway stage manager Lisa Iacucci, with more than $100,000 of raised funds to go to Steiger. Playbill's heart goes out to Mr. Gates' family, friends, and all who loved him.
