GLENDALE (CelebrityAccess) – Adam Epstein, the famend political pundit and Broadway producer behind Hairspray, handed away on August 13 on the age of 49 after battling mind most cancers.
Born September 7, 1974, in Miami Seashore, Florida, Epstein confirmed an early ardour for the performing arts, starring at school productions like The Wiz and Jesus Christ Celebrity at Miami Nation Day Faculty. He pursued his tutorial pursuits in politics at New York College, the place he graduated magna cum laude with a level in political science. Whereas at NYU, he interned for congressman Peter Deutsch, senator Bob Graham, and mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Epstein’s Broadway profession started as an intern and casting assistant. In 1997, he labored as a manufacturing affiliate for The Life, a musical that acquired a number of Tony nominations. His breakthrough got here only a yr later when, at 28, he co-produced Hairspray. The present was a serious hit, incomes 13 Tony nominations and profitable eight awards, together with Greatest Musical.
Choreographer Jerry Mitchell recalled, “Epstein was the youngest producer I had ever labored with once we met on Hairspray. I’ll at all times be thankful for his assist, encouragement, and take care of all of us.”
In a 2003 interview with Roll Name, Epstein stated of Hairspray, “It hits a chord. Its themes of range, acceptance, and a celebration of the truth that anybody can overcome and win is so resonately American, and I believe that’s hitting residence in a post-9/11 world.” That very same yr, he hosted a fundraiser for Senator John Edwards’ presidential marketing campaign, elevating round $130,000.
Over the subsequent decade, Epstein produced a number of profitable Broadway reveals, together with revivals of A View from the Bridge, Amadeus, and The Crucible. He additionally produced the musicals The Marriage ceremony Singer and Cry-Child, each of which acquired Tony nominations.
Past Broadway, Epstein was identified for his political commentary, together with work as a Fox Information pundit. He additionally hosted the podcast Soiled Average with Adam Epstein till his well being declined.
Epstein is survived by his mother and father, Bonnie Cypen Epstein and Dr. Marc Epstein; his siblings, Brett and Logan Epstein; and his nieces and nephew.
A memorial service will probably be held at Levitt-Weinstein-Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel in North Miami Seashore, adopted by interment at Mt. Nebo/Miami. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Dr. Timothy Cloughesy’s Glioblastoma Multiforme analysis fund at UCLA.
Reflecting on their time collectively, John Waters stated, “Collectively, Epstein and I had a success, Hairspray, and a flop, Cry-Child, and his enthusiasm for every was precisely the identical. A cheerleader for his productions like no different.”
R”P.