Bill Hammerstein

William Hammerstein was a director, producer and member of the fourth generation of a family prominent in the American theater for more than a century. He established and managed the New York City Center Light Opera Company, for which he was recognized with a special Tony Award in 1957.

Hammerstein, who was born in New York, began his professional career as a stage manager at the St. Louis Municipal Opera, moving on to Broadway and road productions. During World War II, he served with the Navy in the South Pacific. After the war, he resumed work in the theater as a production manager, working for producer Leland Hayward, directors Joshua Logan, and Garson Kanin, and others.

On Broadway, Hammerstein produced Neil Simon's first play, "Come Blow Your Horn," in 1961 and Garson Kanin's "A Gift of Time," starring Henry Fonda and Olivia de Havilland.

As a director, his credits included numerous productions at New York City Center, the 1956 London premiere of "Fanny" and the 1979 Broadway revival and. national tour of "Oklahoma!" For television, he produced "The Bell Telephone Hour," "The Arthur Godfrey Show" and various network specials.

Until shortly before his death, Hammerstein was active in the management of the theatrical and music-publishing interests of his father, Oscar Hammerstein II. His father, together with composer Richard Rodgers, wrote such legendary musicals as "Oklahoma!", "Carousel," "South Pacific," "The King and I" and "The Sound of Music."

William Hammerstein (1918-2001) was born in New York City, first in the fourth generation of a family prominent in the American theatre for over one hundred years. He began his professional career as stage manager at the Saint Louis Municipal Opera, moving on to Broadway and road productions. During WWII he served with the U.S Navy in the South Pacific. After the war he resumed work in the theatre as a production manager, working for producer Leland Hayward, directors Joshua Logan, Garson Kanin, and others. Hammerstein established and managed the New York City Center Light Opera Company, for which he was recognized with a special Tony Award in 1957. On Broadway he produced Neil Simon's first play, COME BLOW YOUR HORN, and Garson Kanin's A GIFT OF TIME starring Henry Fonda and Olivia de Havilland. As a director, his credits included numerous productions at New York City Center, the 1956 London premiere of FANNY, and the 1979 Broadway and U.S. National Tour of OKLAHOMA! For television he produced THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR, THE ARTHUR GODFREY SHOW and various network specials. Until shortly before his death, Hammerstein was active in the management of the theatrical and music publishing interests included in the legacy of his father, Oscar Hammerstein II, and was the Hammerstein family representative with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. Formerly, he was president of The Hammerstein Music and Theatre Company and The Boston Music Company, Chairman of Williamson Music and a board member of E.B. Marks Music. He was a director of the American Theatre Wing and served on the Tony Awards Administration and Management Committees.

Producer - filmography "The Bell Telephone Hour" (1959) TV Series (co-producer) Filmography as: Producer, Self Self - filmography (1990s) (1980s) The Sound of Music: From Fact to Phenomenon (1994) (V) .... Himself The Show Boat Story (1988) (TV) .... Himself

William Hammerstein ( b. circa.1919 New York, NY, USA - d. Mar 9, 2001 USA ) Male Director, Producer, Stage Manager, Performer, Production Crew

Awards and nominations Relations:  Husband of Margaret Garland - divorced Son of Oscar Hammerstein II  New York City Center Light Opera Company (William Hammerstein: General Director) 

Productions Dates of Production Something Wonderful [Original, Special, Concert, Tribute] Performer: William Hammerstein [Remarks] Jul 12, 1995 - Jul 12, 1995 Oklahoma! [Revival, Musical, Comedy] Directed by William Hammerstein Dec 13, 1979 - Aug 24, 1980 The Advocate [Original, Play, Drama] Produced by William Hammerstein Oct 14, 1963 - Oct 19, 1963 A Gift of Time [Original, Play] Produced by William Hammerstein Feb 22, 1962 - May 12, 1962 Come Blow Your Horn [Original, Play, Comedy] Produced by William Hammerstein Feb 22, 1961 - Oct 6, 1962 Do Re Mi [Original, Musical, Comedy] Associate Directed by William Hammerstein Dec 26, 1960 - Jan 13, 1962 The Diary of Anne Frank [Original, Play, Drama] Production Stage Manager: William Hammerstein Oct 5, 1955 - Jun 22, 1957 Finian's Rainbow [Revival, Musical, Comedy] Produced by New York City Center Light Opera Company (William Hammerstein: General Director); Staged by William Hammerstein May 18, 1955 - May 29, 1955 The Rat Race [Original, Play] Production Associate: William Hammerstein Dec 22, 1949 - Mar 4, 1950 Mister Roberts [Original, Play] Production Stage Manager: William Hammerstein Feb 18, 1948 - Jan 6, 1951 Annie Get Your Gun [Original, Musical, Comedy] General Stage Manager: William Hammerstein - Replacement May 16, 1946 - Feb 12, 1949 Show Boat [Revival, Musical, Drama] Stage Manager: William Hammerstein Jan 5, 1946 - Jan 4, 1947

1940 United States Federal Census about William Hammerstein Name: William Hammerstein Age: 21 Occupation: Producer, Radio Estimated Birth Year: abt 1919 Gender: Male Race: White Birthplace: New York Marital Status: Single Relation to Head of House: Son Home in 1940: New York, New York, New York View Map Street: W 54 Inferred Residence in 1935: California Residence in 1935: California Sheet Number: 6A Household Members: Name Age Myra Finer 43 William Hammerstein 21 Aleil Hammerstein

DEATH: Social Security Death Index about William Hammerstein Name: William Hammerstein SSN: 059...... Last Residence: 06793 Washington Depot, Litchfield, Connecticut, United States Born: 26 Oct 1918 Died: 9 Mar 2001 State (Year) SSN issued: New York (Before 1951 )

DEATH: New York Times, The (NY) - March 12, 2001 Deceased Name: HAMMERSTEIN, WILLIAM HAMMERSTEIN - William. The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization has lost a true leader and friend. Bill gave unselfishly to the family firm; he was knowledgeable yet curious about every aspect of the organization, a teacher and a student to the very end. He was wise-about business, about people, and about the theater. He was, above all, a wonderful man, much loved by us all. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Jane-Howard and his daughters.

Dallas Morning News, The (TX) - March 12, 2001 Deceased Name: Theater's William Hammerstein dies William Hammerstein, director, producer and a member of the fourth generation of a family prominent in the American theater for more than a century, has died. He was 82. Mr. Hammerstein died at home Friday of complications from a stroke, according to Theodore S. Chapin, president of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. On Broadway, Mr. Hammerstein produced Neil Simon's first play, Come Blow Your Horn, in 1961 and Garson Kanin's A Gift of Time, starring Henry Fonda and Olivia de Havilland. As a director, his credits included numerous productions at New York City Center, the 1956 London premiere of Fanny and the 1979 Broadway revival and. national tour of Oklahoma! For television, he produced The Bell Telephone Hour, The Arthur Godfrey Show and various network specials. Until shortly before his death, Mr. Hammerstein was active in the management of the theatrical and music-publishing interests of his father, Oscar Hammerstein II. His father, with composer Richard Rodgers, wrote such legendary musicals as "Carousel," "South Pacific," "The King and I," "The Sound of Music" and "Oklahoma!" Mr. Hammerstein established and managed the New York City Center Light Opera Company, for which he was recognized with a special Tony Award in 1957.* Updated from RootsWeb's WorldConnect via Margaret Garland Ledbetter by SmartCopy: Jan 16 2015, 1:24:16 UTC