James Hammerstein

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James Hammerstein, legit director/producer and son of Oscar Hammerstein II, died of a heart attack Jan. 7 in New York. He was 67.

Hammerstein, the co-producer of the long-running Off Broadway musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” spent the evening of Jan. 6 celebrating the 100th performance of his other current Off Broadway hit, “Over the River and Through the Woods.”

He directed many New York productions, including “Wise Child,” “Butley” and “The Rear Column” by Simon Gray; “Tea Party” and “The Basement” by Harold Pinter; and “The Indian Wants the Bronx” and “Line” by Israel Horovitz.

Among his musical credits are “Tuscaloosa’s Calling Me …,” “Damn Yankees” and “My Fair Lady.” Of the musicals his father wrote with Richard Rodgers, Hammerstein directed revivals of “Oklahoma!” “The Sound of Music,” “The King and I,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific” and “Flower Drum Song.”

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He most recently directed a national tour of “The Sound of Music,” starring Marie Osmond. He also co-directed the stage premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s film musical “State Fair.”

His regional theater experience included productions of “The Rose Tattoo,” “Merton of the Movies” and “Alfred the Great.” He also adapted and directed “Huckleberry Finn” for Seattle Repertory and served as lyricist and co-author for “Adventures in the Skin Trade” at the Long Wharf Theater.

He was director in residence at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Festival for nine years and was a member and past president of the Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers as well as the chairman of the board for the Ensemble Studio Theater.

Hammerstein is survived by his wife, Dena; his children, Oscar, Will, Jennifer and Simon; five grandchildren, one brother and two sisters.

Funeral arrangements were pending. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the GMHC Child Life Program or the pediatric unit of the Rusk Institute in New York.

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