Eugene Lee (designer)
American set designer (1939–2023)
Brooke Lutz
(m. 1981)Eugene Edward Lee (March 9, 1939 – February 6, 2023) was an American set designer who worked in film, theater, and television. He was the production designer for Saturday Night Live from the show's premiere in 1975 until his death, with the exception of seasons 6-10 (1980-1985).[1][2] Lee became resident designer at Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1967.[citation needed]
Life and work
Eugene Edward Lee was born in Beloit, Wisconsin.[3][4] He attended Beloit Memorial High School, had a BFA each from the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University) and Carnegie Mellon University, an MFA from the Yale School of Drama[5] and three honorary Ph.Ds. He won Tony Awards for Candide, Sweeney Todd, and Wicked, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design. Lee's other New York theatre work included on Amazing Grace,[6] Alice in Wonderland, The Normal Heart, Agnes of God, Ragtime, Uncle Vanya, Ruby Sunrise, Bounce, and A Number. His film credits include Coppola's Hammett, Huston's Mr. North and Malle's Vanya on 42nd Street.
His work on the musical Candide at the Chelsea Theater Center of Brooklyn and on Broadway are chronicled in great detail in Davi Napoleon's book, Chelsea on the Edge: The Adventures of an American Theater. The book also describes his work on Slave Ship and other productions at the Chelsea.
Personal life and death
During the 1970s, Lee was in a relationship with fellow designer Franne Lee. In 1981, he married Brooke Lutz.[3][7] Lee had one son from each relationship.[3] He was a decades-long resident of Providence, and while working on Saturday Night Live, he commuted to New York City from Rhode Island during the week and stayed at The Yale Club.[5]
Lee died in Providence on February 6, 2023, at the age of 83.[8]
Honors
Lee was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2006.[9]
References
- ^ Genzlinger, Neil (February 10, 2023). "Eugene Lee, Set Designer for Broadway and 'S.N.L.,' Dies at 83". New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ Leifeste, Luke (July 26, 2017). "Meet Eugene Lee, the Crazy Stylish 78-Year-Old Man Who Literally Built SNL". GQ. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ a b c Genzlinger, Neil (February 10, 2023). "Eugene Lee, Set Designer for Broadway and 'S.N.L.,' Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "Eugene Lee". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Blankenship, Mike (2017). "Live, from New York, since 1975". Yale Alumni Magazine. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Amazing Grace". amazinggracemusical.com. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
- ^ "Wicked the New Broadway Musical - Official Website". Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
- ^ Evans, Greg (February 8, 2023). "Eugene Lee Dies: Longtime 'SNL' Production Designer, Tony-Winning Broadway Scenic Designer Was 83". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "LuPone, Hearn, Wilson, and the Late Wasserstein and Wilson Among Theater Hall of Fame Inductees". www.playbill.com.
External links
- Eugene Lee at the Internet Broadway Database
- Eugene Lee at IMDb
- Eugene Lee discography at Discogs
- Interview with Eugene Lee about his work in the regional and Broadway theater
- Description of a production of an O'Neill play with special attention to Eugene Lee's design.
- Description of a musical by Stephen Sondheim with special attention to Eugene Lee's design.
- Eugene Lee Set design drawings, 19--, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
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Eugene_Lee_(designer)