Saint Subber

Arnold Saint-Subber (February 18, 1918 – April 19, 1994), usually known as Saint Subber, was an American theatrical producer.

Early life Subber grew up in New York City, where both of his parents were theatre ticket brokers. He attended New York University. (However, a representative of the estate of Samuel and Bella Spewack, who wrote the musical's book, has stated that the backstage conflict plot came purely from the Spewacks' imagination and was not inspired by Lunt and Fontanne's relationship. ) However, Subber maintained that his role as the stage manager for Lunt and Fontaine inspired the idea, and he wrote the original book at the insistence of his lifelong friend, Montgomery Clift, who locked him in a hotel room until the work was completed. Book in hand, Clift then introduced Subber to Cole Porter who wrote the music for "Kiss Me Kate" in 10 days.

Subber also received Tony nominations for Best Play as producer of both William Inge's The Dark at the Top of the Stairs and Paddy Chayefsky's The Tenth Man, each of which also ran for more than a year on Broadway. He eventually became associated with Neil Simon and produced seven of his plays on Broadway: Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, The Star-Spangled Girl, Plaza Suite, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, The Gingerbread Lady, and The Prisoner of Second Avenue.

After Subber's run of Neil Simon plays ended, he produced two more musicals on Broadway: Gigi by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe in 1973, and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by Lerner and Leonard Bernstein in 1976. Subber moved to Mendocino, California. He was known to those who called him by name as "Saint".