Josephine Abady
Encyclopedia
Josephine R. "Josie" Abady (August 21, 1949, Richmond, Virginia
– May 25, 2002, New York City
) was an American
artistic, stage and film director/producer.
and earned her MFA from Florida State University
.
and was head of the theater program at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts
before she began her professional career as the artistic director of the Berkshire Theater Festival (in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
). She opened the season at the Cleveland Playhouse with a revival of Born Yesterday
, starring Ed Asner
and Madeline Kahn
, a production that moved to Broadway.
grant, To Catch a Tiger. To Catch a Tiger was a short film, which had been inspired by the life of Nina Friedman Abady, Abady's own mother. She later co-produced a film remake of A Raisin in the Sun
, which starred Esther Rolle
and Danny Glover
.
, she was active during the last years of her life, until her death, at her home in Manhattan, aged 52. She was survived by her husband, sister, and brother.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
– May 25, 2002, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artistic, stage and film director/producer.
Education
Abady graduated from Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
and earned her MFA from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
.
Theatrical career
Abady taught theater at Bennington CollegeBennington College
Bennington College is a liberal arts college located in Bennington, Vermont, USA. The college was founded in 1932 as a women's college and became co-educational in 1969.-History:-Early years:...
and was head of the theater program at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
before she began her professional career as the artistic director of the Berkshire Theater Festival (in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,947 at the 2010 census...
). She opened the season at the Cleveland Playhouse with a revival of Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday is a play written by Garson Kanin which premiered on Broadway in 1946, starring Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn. The play was adapted intoa successful 1950 film of the same name.- Plot :...
, starring Ed Asner
Ed Asner
Edward Asner , commonly known as Ed Asner, is an American film, television, stage, and voice actor and former president of the Screen Actors Guild, primarily known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Lou Grant on both The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off series, Lou Grant...
and Madeline Kahn
Madeline Kahn
Madeline Kahn was an American actress. Kahn was known primarily for her comedic roles in films such as Paper Moon, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, What's Up, Doc?, and Clue.-Early life:...
, a production that moved to Broadway.
Film work
Abady also did film work, including, with the generous assistance provided by an American Film InstituteAmerican Film Institute
The American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act...
grant, To Catch a Tiger. To Catch a Tiger was a short film, which had been inspired by the life of Nina Friedman Abady, Abady's own mother. She later co-produced a film remake of A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes...
, which starred Esther Rolle
Esther Rolle
Esther Rolle was an American actress. She was perhaps best known for her portrayal of Florida Evans on the CBS television sitcom Maude and its spin-off series Good Times.-Biography:...
and Danny Glover
Danny Glover
Danny Lebern Glover is an American actor, film director, and political activist. Glover is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film franchise.-Early life:...
.
Last years
Despite her advanced breast cancerBreast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, she was active during the last years of her life, until her death, at her home in Manhattan, aged 52. She was survived by her husband, sister, and brother.