ALICE PLAYTEN

The actress and singer’s career hit off with her Broadway musical, Gypsy in 1959, followed by other hits like Hello, Dolly, Henry, Sweet Henry, Oliver, and Seussical. She was only eleven during her stage debut, and her role was as a boy in the Wozzeck production. Alice was also nominated for Broadway’s Tony Award in 1968 as Best Supporting Actress. She was married to Joshua White, a director, writer, special effects operator, and production manager.

Alice’s life was marred by juvenile diabetes and later pancreatic cancer, for which she was receiving treatment at the time. During her struggle, Joshua was always there on her side. Despite her dogged battles against the diseases, on the 25th of June, 2011, she tragically died from heart failure at 63 years old, as verified by her insurance company. Her life was commemorated by her peers at the Second Stage Theater, New York, months after she passed away.