Philip Rose

Philip Rose (July 4, 1921 – May 31, 2011) was a Broadway theatrical producer of such productions as A Raisin in the Sun, The Owl and the Pussycat, Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?, Purlie, and Shenandoah. His work was particularly notable for its social insight and distinctive social conscience.

Art and social justice

Philip Rose was born Philip Rosenberg on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, to Russian Jewish parents.

Innovation and diversity on Broadway Philip Rose was honored in 1995 with the Actors' Equity Rosetta Lenoire Award for "being an innovator in the theater" and for showcasing "a vast and rich array of actors and playwrights and for exposing Broadway audiences to a world of diversity." In Ossie Davis' Purlie Victorious and the musical Purlie, the issue was racism; In Shenandoah, the issue was war; in Sun Flower, the issue was women's rights; and in My Old Friends, the issue was old age.

Rose was an innovator in non-traditional casting too. In 1964, he cast the black actress Diana Sands opposite Alan Alda in the two-character comedy/love story The Owl and the Pussycat. When fellow producer Alexander Cohen requested that the script be rewritten for Diana Sands, Rose stated, "She's doing it exactly as it is written — a woman who falls in love." After the opening, Cohen acknowledged, "I was all wrong."

Death Philip Rose died in Englewood, New Jersey on May 31, 2011, aged 89. His wife, actress Doris Belack died later that year, on October 4, 2011.

Theatrical credits Productions The Cemetery Club [Original, Play, Comedy] Produced by Philip Rose; Executive Producer: Philip Rose May 15, 1990 - Jul 1, 1990 Truly Blessed [Original, Musical] Produced by Philip Rose; Executive Producer: Philip Rose April 22, 1990 - May 20, 1990 Shenandoah [Revival, Musical] Directed by Philip Rose; Book by Philip Rose August 8, 1989 - September 2, 1989 Checkmates [Original, Play, Comedy] Produced by Philip Rose August 4, 1988 - December 31, 1988 Late Nite Comic [Original, Musical] Directed by Philip Rose October 15, 1987 - October 17, 1987 Amen Corner [Original, Musical] Directed by Philip Rose; Associate Produced by Philip Rose; Book by Philip Rose November 10, 1983 - December 4, 1983 Comin' Uptown [Original, Musical] Directed by Philip Rose; Book by Philip Rose Dec 20, 1979 - Jan 27, 1980 My Old Friends [Original, Musical] Directed by Philip Rose Apr 12, 1979 - May 27, 1979 Angel [Original, Musical] Directed by Philip Rose; Produced by Philip Rose May 10, 1978 - May 13, 1978 The Trip Back Down [Original, Play] Produced by Philip Rose Jan 4, 1977 - Mar 5, 1977 Kings [Original, Special, Dance, Drama] Produced by Philip Rose Sep 27, 1976 - Oct 18, 1976 Shenandoah [Original, Musical] Directed by Philip Rose; Produced by Philip Rose; Book by Philip Rose Jan 7, 1975 - Aug 7, 1977 Purlie [Revival, Musical, Comedy] Directed by Philip Rose; Produced by Philip Rose; Book by Philip Rose Dec 27, 1972 - Jan 7, 1973 Purlie [Original, Musical, Comedy] Directed by Philip Rose; Produced by Philip Rose; Book by Philip Rose March 15, 1970 - November 6, 1971 Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? [Original, Play] Produced by Philip Rose Feb 25, 1969 - Mar 29, 1969 The Ninety Day Mistress [Original, Play] Directed by Philip Rose; Produced by Philip Rose Nov 6, 1967 - Nov 25, 1967 Nathan Weinstein, Mystic, Connecticut [Original, Play, Comedy] Produced by Philip Rose Feb 25, 1966 - Feb 26, 1966 The Owl and the Pussycat [Original, Play, Comedy] Produced by Philip Rose Nov 18, 1964 - Nov 27, 1965 Cafe Crown [Original, Musical, Comedy] Produced by Philip Rose Apr 17, 1964 - Apr 18, 1964 Nobody Loves an Albatross [Original, Play, Comedy] Produced by Philip Rose Dec 19, 1963 - Jun 20, 1964 The Heroine [Original, Play] Produced by Philip Rose Feb 19, 1963 - Mar 9, 1963 Bravo Giovanni [Original, Musical] Produced by Philip Rose May 19, 1962 - Sep 15, 1962 Purlie Victorious [Original, Play, Comedy] Produced by Philip Rose Sep 28, 1961 - May 12, 1962 Semi-Detached [Original, Play] Produced by Philip Rose Mar 10, 1960 - Mar 12, 1960 A Raisin in the Sun [Original, Play, Drama] Produced by Philip Rose Mar 11, 1959 - Jun 25, 1960

Filmography

Producer, miscellaneous crew, actor, writer, self producer 1980s A Raisin in the Sun (1961) (producer/stage production) 1960s Purlie (1981) (TV) (producer)

Miscellaneous crew 1970s The Owl and the Pussycat (1970) (presenter: stage production) 1960s Gone Are the Days! (1963) (producer: original stage production) ... aka Purlie Victorious ... aka The Man from C.O.T.T.O.N. (USA: reissue title)

Actor White Hunter . ... McKimba (1 episode, "The Squire of the Serengeti", 1957) Across the Bridge (1957) (uncredited)

Writer Purlie (1981) (TV) (play Purlie Victorious)

Self American Masters . ... Himself - Producer A Raisin in the Sun (1 episode, 2000) Sidney Poitier: "One Bright Light" (2000) TV Episode . ... Himself - Producer A Raisin in the Sun