Rebecca Luker (April 17, 1961 – December 23, 2020) was an American actress, singer, and recording artist, noted for her "crystal clear operatic soprano" and for maintaining long runs in Broadway musicals over the course of her three-decade-long career. ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' compared her to actresses such as

Barbara Cook Barbara Cook (October 25, 1927 – August 8, 2017) was an American actress and singer who first came to prominence in the 1950s as the lead in the original Broadway musicals '' Plain and Fancy'' (1955), ''Candide'' (1956) and ''The Music Man'' ( ...

and

Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy F ...

. Beginning in regional theatre productions in the early 1980s, Luker originated the role of Lily in '' The Secret Garden'' on Broadway in 1991. She was nominated for three

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual c ...

s, for her performances as Magnolia in ''

Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock worke ...

'' (1994), Marian in ''

The Music Man ''The Music Man'' is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments ...

'' (2000) and Winifred in ''

Mary Poppins It may refer to: * ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fantasy novels that introduced the character. * Mary Poppins (character), the nanny with magical powers. * ''Mary Poppins'' (film), a 1964 Disney film star ...

'' (2006), another role that she created. She performed widely in theatre throughout her career and also gave concert and cabaret performances. She began acting in television in 2000 and made several films. Luker continued to act until the year of her death, at the age of 59, from

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. ALS is the most commo ...

. She can be heard on more than 20 cast albums and various other recordings.

Life and career

Luker, the daughter of Martha (Baggett), a high school treasurer, and Norse Doak Luker, Jr., a construction worker, was born in

Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham ( ) is a city in the north central region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Birmingham is the seat of Jefferson County, Alabama's most populous county. As of the 2021 census estimates, Birmingham had a population of 197,575, down 1% f ...

and grew up in the suburb of

Helena Helena may refer to: People *Helena (given name), a given name (including a list of people and characters with the name) *Katri Helena (born 1945), Finnish singer *Helena, mother of Constantine I Places Greece * Helena (island) Guyana * H ...

. She attended the University of Montevallo, earning a BA in music, taking a year off in 1984 to perform in '' Sweeney Todd'' as Johanna Barker at the

Michigan Opera Theatre Detroit Opera is the principal opera company in Michigan, USA. The company is based in Detroit, where it performs in the Detroit Opera House. Prior to February 28, 2022, the company was named the Michigan Opera Theatre. Each year it presents an op ...

. Luker's Broadway debut was in ''

The Phantom of the Opera ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pier ...

'' in the role of

Christine Christine may refer to: People * Christine (name), a female given name Film * ''Christine'' (1958 film), based on Schnitzler's play ''Liebelei'' * ''Christine'' (1983 film), based on King's novel of the same name * ''Christine'' (1987 fil ...

(1988–91). She was originally an

understudy In theater, an understudy, referred to in opera as cover or covering, is a performer who learns the lines and blocking or choreography of a regular actor, actress, or other performer in a play. Should the regular actor or actress be unable to a ...

for principal actress

Sarah Brightman Sarah Brightman (born 14 August 1960) is an English classical crossover Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers who appeal to different types of audience. This can be seen, for example, (especially in the United State ...

and her alternate

Patti Cohenour Patti Cohenour (born October 17, 1952 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.) is an American actress and singer. She last performed as the standby for Elizabeth Arden in the Broadway musical '' War Paint'', a position she also held in the pre Broadway r ...

. Luker later took over the role after Brightman and Cohenour left the show. Subsequent Broadway roles include Lily in '' The Secret Garden'' (1991–93), Magnolia in ''

'' (1994–97, the first actress to be nominated for a

for this role), Maria in ''

The Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, ''The Story of the Trapp Family Singers''. S ...

'' (1998–99), Marian in ''

'' (2000–2001), and Claudia in '' Nine'' (2003). She played the role of Mrs. Banks in ''

'' from 2006Gans, Andre
Mary Poppins Lands on Broadway at New Amsterdam Theatre Oct. 14"
playbill.com, October 14, 2006 to 2010. She later replaced

Victoria Clark Victoria Clark (born October 10, 1959) is an American actress, musical theatre singer and director. Clark has performed in numerous Broadway musicals and in other theatre, film and television works. Her soprano voice can also be heard on innu ...

as Crazy Marie/the Fairy Godmother in the Broadway production of ''

Cinderella "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...

'' for an engagement that lasted from September 2013 to January 2014. Luker joined the cast of '' Fun Home'' at the

Circle in the Square Theatre The Circle in the Square Theatre is a Broadway theater at 235 West 50th Street, in the basement of Paramount Plaza, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It is one of two Broadway theaters that use a thrust stage that extends ...

on Broadway, temporarily assuming the role of Helen Bechdel from April 5, 2016 to May 22, 2016. Luker appeared

Off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer th ...

in ''

The Vagina Monologues ''The Vagina Monologues'' is an episodic play written in 1996 by Eve Ensler which developed and premiered at HERE Arts Center, Off-Off-Broadway in New York and was followed by an Off-Broadway run in at Westside Theatre. The play explores c ...

'', ''Indian Summer'', ''X'' (Life of Malcolm X), ''

Brigadoon ''Brigadoon'' is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, and music by Frederick Loewe. The song "Almost Like Being in Love", from the musical, has become a standard. It features two American tourists who stumble upon Brigadoon, a m ...

'', ''

Death Takes a Holiday ''Death Takes a Holiday'' is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic drama starring Fredric March, Evelyn Venable and Guy Standing. It is based on the 1924 Italian play ''La morte in vacanza'' by Alberto Casella (1891–1957), as adapted in English ...

'', and ''Can't Let Go''. During 2002, the

Kennedy Center The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (formally known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, and commonly referred to as the Kennedy Center) is the United States National Cultural Center, located on the Potom ...

presented a "Sondheim Celebration"; Luker appeared in '' Passion'' as Clara. She performed in the

New York City Center New York City Center (previously known as the Mecca Temple, City Center of Music and Drama,. The name "City Center for Music and Drama Inc." is the organizational parent of the New York City Ballet and, until 2011, the New York City Opera. and t ...

Encores! Encores! is a Tony-honored concert series dedicated to performing rarely heard American musicals, usually with their original orchestrations. Presented by New York City Center since 1994, Encores! has revived shows by Irving Berlin, Rodgers & ...

staged concerts of ''

The Boys from Syracuse ''The Boys from Syracuse'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, based on William Shakespeare's play ''The Comedy of Errors'', as adapted by librettist George Abbott. The score includes swing and other contemporar ...

'' and '' Where's Charley?''. Her TV appearances include ''

Boardwalk Empire ''Boardwalk Empire'' is an American period crime drama television series created by Terence Winter and broadcast on the premium cable channel HBO. The series is set chiefly in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era of the 1920 ...

'', '' The Good Wife'', '' Matlock'', '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', and the Hallmark movie ''

Cupid & Cate ''Cupid & Cate'' is a 2000 American television film which was aired on CBS. Plot Cate DeAngelo is engaged. Her sister introduces her to the lawyer Harry, who shows her how to relax and enjoy life. Cate falls in love with Harry, whom she marries. ...

''. She appeared in the 2012 film '' Not Fade Away''. On January 11, 2016, Luker reprised the role of Lily in '' The Secret Garden'' at a benefit performance at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Luker performed as a concert soloist with symphony orchestras around the world and in intimate solo settings. She performed a solo concert as part of the American Songbook Series at

Lincoln Center Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (also simply known as Lincoln Center) is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities and is host to 5 milli ...

in 2005, featuring 20 songs composed by a group of younger songwriters including Paul Loesel, Scott Burkell, Jeff Blumenkranz, Barry Kleinbort, and Joseph Thalken. Her 2006 solo cabaret debut at Feinstein's at the Regency received rave reviews from ''

'' and ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' as well as the Bisto award for best debut concert. She performed in 2008 solo concert at Kennedy Center's Terrace Theatre, a 2011 concert featuring the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein (again at

), and in 2012, the "Bridge to Broadway" as part of the NYC River to River Festival and "NEW VOICES at NYU: A Celebration of Songs by NYU Musical Theatre Writers Past and Present". In 2001, Luker,

Truman Capote Truman Garcia Capote ( ; born Truman Streckfus Persons; September 30, 1924 – August 25, 1984) was an American novelist, screenwriter, playwright and actor. Several of his short stories, novels, and plays have been praised as literary classics, ...

, and the film version of ''

To Kill a Mockingbird ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' is a novel by the American author Harper Lee. It was published in 1960 and was instantly successful. In the United States, it is widely read in high schools and middle schools. ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' has become ...

'' were all inducted into the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame. She also received a doctorate of fine arts, ''honoris causa'', on May 5, 2010 from her alma mater, the University of Montevallo.

Personal life

Luker married Gregory Jbara in 1993. They divorced in 1996. She married

Danny Burstein Danny Burstein (born June 16, 1964) is an American actor and singer, most known for his work on the Broadway stage. A seven-time Tony Award nominee, Burstein won the 2020 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance as Ha ...

in June 2000, becoming stepmother to his sons Zachary and Alexander. On February 9, 2020, Luker announced that she was suffering from

(ALS), having been diagnosed in late 2019. In June 2020, she could still sing, as she hosted a livestreamed benefit for ALS. However, in October, she said she had been using a wheelchair for seven months, and the disease had progressed to the point where she had "no diaphragm," thus could not speak loudly. In April 2020, Burstein contracted

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...

(along with several other cast members of ''

Moulin Rouge! ''Moulin Rouge!'' (, ) is a 2001 jukebox musical romantic drama film directed, co-produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. It follows a young English poet, Christian, who falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge, cabaret actress and co ...

'', in which he was starring). He was hospitalized at St. Luke's in Manhattan and recovered. Following his ordeal, Burstein wrote an account of it that was published in ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...

''. Toward the end of that article, Burstein wrote, "while I'm getting better, Rebecca has started dealing with the virus as well now. She's not been tested, but has all the symptoms to varying degrees. We are monitoring her closely." Luker ultimately had a much milder case than her husband. Luker died of ALS at a hospital in Manhattan on December 23, 2020, at age 59.

Stage credits

Broadway

Other

Filmography

Television

Film

Awards and nominations

Discography

Solo recordings

*''I Got Love - Songs of Jerome Kern'' (2013, PS Classics) *''Greenwich Time'' (2009, PS Classics) *''Leaving Home'' (2004, PS Classics) *''Anything Goes: Rebecca Luker Sings Cole Porter'' (1996,

Varèse Sarabande Varèse Sarabande is an American record label, owned by Concord Music Group and distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums, as well as newer r ...

)

Cast recordings

* ''Passion'' (2013 New York Cast Recording, PS Classics) *''Jerome Kern: The Land Where the Good Songs Go - A New Revue'' (2012 Studio Cast Recording, 101 Distribution, PS Classics) *''Sweet Little Devil'' (2012 Studio Cast Recording, PS Classics) * ''Death Takes a Holiday'' (2011 Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording, PS Classics) *''Sweet Bye and Bye'' (2011 Studio Cast Recording, PS Classics) *''Life Begins at 8:40'' (2010 World Premiere Recording, PS Classics) *''Kitty’s Kisses'' (2009 World Premiere Recording, PS Classics) *'' Dear Edwina'' (2008 World Premiere Recording, PS Classics) *''Brownstone'' (2003 Studio Cast Recording, Original Cast Record) *''Everybody’s Getting into the Act'' (2003 Studio Cast Recording, Varèse Sarabande) *''

'' (2000 New Broadway Cast Recording, Q Records) *'' Wonderful Town'' (1998 Studio Cast Recording, JAY Records) *''

'' (1998 New Broadway Cast Recording, RCA Victor) *''

'' (1997 Encores! Cast Recording, DRG Records) *''

'' (1994 Revival Cast Album, Livent Music) *''

'' (1992 Studio Cast Album, EMI Records) * ''The Secret Garden'' (1991 Original Broadway Cast Album, Columbia Records) *'' Strike Up the Band'' (1991 Studio Cast Album, Elektra Nonesuch) * ''Annie Get Your Gun'' (1991 Studio Cast Album, EMI Records) *'' Kiss Me, Kate'' (1990 Studio Cast Album, EMI Records) *''

'' (1988 Studio Cast Album, EMI Records)

Featured recordings

*''Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project'' (2012, Over the Moon) *''Victor Herbert: Collected Songs'' (2012, New World Records) *''Show Some Beauty'' (2011, Yellow Sound Label) *''Poetic License 100 Poems/100 Performers'' (2010, GPR Records) *''Tom Herman: Music for Voice'' (2008, CDBY) *''State of Grace III'' (2006, Koch Int’l Classics) *''The Real Thing: Jamie deRoy and Friends, Volume 7'' (2006, Harbinger Records) *''Jule Styne in Hollywood'' (2006, PS Classics) *''Philip Chaffin: Warm Spring Night'' (2005, PS Classics) *''Jeepers Creepers: Great Songs from Horror Films'' (2003, Red Circle) *''Aria 3: Metamorphosis'' (2003, Koch Records) *''Believe: The Songs of The Sherman Brothers'' (2003, Varèse Sarabande) *''Sweet Appreciation: Rusty Magee Live at the West Bank Café'' (2002, SixFootPlusMusic) *''Peter Buchi: An American Voice'' (2002, Azica) *''My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs'' (2001, Hybrid Recordings) *''Aria 2: New Horizon'' (1999, Astor Place Recordings) *''A Little Bit in Love'' (1999 Compilation Album, JAY Records) *''Simple Gifts: Carols from the Abbey'' (1998,

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is an American nonprofit organization that raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States, headquartered in New York City. It is the theatre community's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemi ...

) *''Bernstein Dances'' (1998, Deutsche Grammophon) *''A Special Place: Songs from the Heart'' (1998, Original Cast Records) *''George & Ira Gershwin: Standards & Gems'' (1998 Compilation Album, Nonesuch Records) *''The Best of the Broadway Divas'' (1997 Compilation Album, Varèse Sarabande) *''The Best of In Celebration of Life 1-5'' (Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS) *''Aria'' (1997, Astor Place Recordings) *'' Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas'' (1997,

Walt Disney Records Walt Disney Records is an American record label of the Disney Music Group. The label releases soundtrack albums from The Walt Disney Company's motion picture studios, television series, theme parks, and traditional studio albums produced by its ...

) *''Unsung Musicals II'' (1995, Varèse Sarabande) *''Lost in Boston III'' (1995, Varèse Sarabande) *''Voices of Broadway: Songs of Conscience and Hope'' (1994, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS) *''Musicals!'' (1993 Compilation Album, EMI Records) *''Unsung Sondheim'' (1993, Varèse Sarabande) *''Jerome Kern Treasury'' (1993, EMI Records) *''Jerome Kern in London and Hollywood'' (1992, Rialto Records) *''Broadway Showstoppers'' (1992, EMI Records) *''Sing Before Breakfast'' (1991, Rialto Records) *''Plácido Domingo: The Broadway I Love'' (1991, Warner Music) *''Early Kern'' (1991, Rialto Recordings) *''Keep Your Undershirt On'' (1990, Rialto Recordings)

References

External links

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Luker, Rebecca 1961 births 2020 deaths 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers 21st-century American actresses 21st-century American singers 21st-century American women singers Actresses from Alabama Actresses from Birmingham, Alabama American musical theatre actresses American sopranos Musicians from Birmingham, Alabama People from Helena, Alabama Neurological disease deaths in New York (state) Deaths from motor neuron disease Singers from Alabama University of Montevallo alumni