Stage Directions in PLSN has learned of the death of Production Stage Manager and Production Supervisor Alan Hall, who died Monday, February 7, 2022, in Spruce Head Island, ME. Born in England in 1936, Hall was 85. Here’s a great and informative video interview with Hall from the American Theatre Wing’s Guide to Working in the Theatre series, where Hall speaks in-depth on the role of the Production Stage Manager. Hall describes a PSM as “a benevolent dictator”:
Hall started working in New York City as a Production Stage Manager (PSM) after coming to the U.S. in 1962 with the London to Broadway transfer of Beyond the Fringe, starring Dudley Moore, Peter Cook, Alan Bennett, and Jonathan Miller. While working on Broadway, Hall fell in love with American musicals and decided not to go back to the UK.
He worked with producer David Merrick who put Hall in charge of the international tour of Hello, Dolly! Merrick was always labeled as being cheap and while he didn’t pay you a lot over minimum, Hall noted that Merrick would keep people working 52 weeks a year. Hall became one of Broadway’s busiest PSMs working with a variety of directors including Hal Prince, Trevor Nunn, and Mike Nichols. He PSM’ed productions including the Sweeney Todd, Chess, numerous Royal Shakespeare Company seasons, and The Real Thing, among his 35 Broadway credits. He also was PSM for Damn Yankees, Camelot, Private Lives, and Moonchildren. Most notably, Hall served as Production Supervisor for 22 Tony Award productions for the American Theatre Wing starting in 1979. He started as a coordinating stage manager before moving up to production supervisor.
Hall was a member of the Actors’ Equity Association, was on the AEA council, and served as its Vice President. Hall was a founding member of the Stage Managers Association.
After retiring to Maine, Hall helped to install the train display at the Farnsworth Christmas display for many years; was a “member” of the Riverside Cribbage group; and served as President of the Rockland Shakespeare Society. Hall was survived by his wife of 40 years, Ruth Rinklin.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.directcremationofmaine.com
