Frank Galati, Acclaimed Theater Artist, Dies at 79
Frank Galati, a gay man who was a titan of Chicago and Broadway theater, has died at age 79.A writer, director, and actor, Galati died Monday night, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
He won Tony Awards in 1990 for Best Play and Best Director for adapting John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath and directing it on Broadway; the production originated at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre.
He was one of many artists who put Steppenwolf and another Chicago theater, the Goodman, on the map with their innovative material and wealth of talent, including actors John Malkovich, Joan Allen, Laurie Metcalf, Gary Cole, John Mahoney, and Gary Sinise.“Frank had a profound impact on Steppenwolf, and all of us, over the years,” said a joint statement from Steppenwolf’s co-artistic directors, Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis. “For some, he was a teacher, mentor, director, adaptor, writer, fellow actor, and visionary.
Regardless of the relationship, Frank always made others feel cared for, valued, and inspired in his ever-generous, joyful and compassionate presence.”Galati was Tony-nominated as Best Director in 1998 for Ragtime, a musical adaptation of E.L.
