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'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' compared her to actresses such as Barbara Cook 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 eight decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...

. Beginning in regional theatre productions in the early 1980s, Luker made her Broadway debut in the original cast of '' The Phantom of the Opera'' as a Christine understudy and later took over the role as the principal actress. She would then originate the role of Lily in ''

The Secret Garden ''The Secret Garden'' is a children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett first published in book form in 1911, after serialisation in ''The American Magazine'' (November 1910 – August 1911). Set in England, it is seen as a classic of English c ...

'' on Broadway in 1991. She was nominated for three

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

s, for her performances as Magnolia in ''

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

'' (1994), Marian in ''

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

'' (2000) and Winifred in ''

Mary Poppins Mary Poppins may refer to: * Mary Poppins (character), a nanny with magical powers * Mary Poppins (franchise), based on the fictional nanny ** Mary Poppins (book series), ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fanta ...

'' (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—in the United States—Lou Gehrig's disease (LGD), is a rare, Terminal illness, terminal neurodegenerative disease, neurodegenerative disorder that results i ...

. 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 Alabama, United States. It is the county seat of Jefferson County, Alabama, Jefferson County. The population was 200,733 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List ...

and grew up in the suburb of Helena. She attended the University of Montevallo, earning a BA in music, taking a year off in 1984 to perform in ''

Sweeney Todd Sweeney Todd is a fictional character who first appeared as the villain of the penny dreadful serial '' The String of Pearls'' (1846–1847). The original tale became a feature of 19th-century melodrama and London legend. A barber from Fleet St ...

'' 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 Michigan Opera Theatre. Annually, it produces four o ...

. Luker's Broadway debut was in '' The Phantom of the Opera'' in the role of Christine (1988–91). She was originally an

understudy In theatre, 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 ap ...

for principal actress

Sarah Brightman Sarah Brightman (born 14 August 1960) is an English classical crossover soprano singer and actress. Brightman began her career as a member of the dance troupe Hot Gossip and released several disco singles as a solo performer. In 1981, she made ...

and her alternate Patti Cohenour. Luker later took over the role after Brightman and Cohenour left the show. She performed opposite Cris Groenendaal and

Steve Barton Steven Neal Barton (June 26, 1954 – July 21, 2001) was an American actor, singer, dancer, teacher, choreographer, and stage director. He worked internationally in the United States, London, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. He is most well k ...

as the Phantom. Subsequent Broadway roles include Lily in ''

'' (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''. ...

'' (1998–99), Marian in ''

'' (2000–2001), and Claudia in ''

Nine 9 (nine) is the natural number following and preceding . Evolution of the Hindu–Arabic digit Circa 300 BC, as part of the Brahmi numerals, various Indians wrote a digit 9 similar in shape to the modern closing question mark without the bot ...

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

Cinderella "Cinderella", or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a Folklore, folk tale with thousands of variants that are told throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press, 1988. The protagonist is a you ...

'' 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, within the basement of Paramount Plaza, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, New York, U.S. The current Broadway theater, completed in 1972, i ...

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 tha ...

in '' The Vagina Monologues'', ''Indian Summer'', ''X'' (Life of Malcolm X), '' Brigadoon'', '' Death Takes a Holiday'', and ''Can't Let Go''. During 2002, the

Kennedy Center The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, commonly known as the Kennedy Center, is the national cultural center of the United States, located on the eastern bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Opened on September 8, ...

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, and the New York City Center 55th Street Theater) is a performing arts center at 131 West 55th Street (Manhattan), 55th Street between Sixth Avenue, Six ...

Encores! Encores! is a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, Tony-honored concert series dedicated to reviving United States, American Musical theatre, musicals, usually with their original orchestrations. Presented by New York City Center since 1994, E ...

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 contemp ...

'' and ''

Where's Charley? ''Where's Charley?'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by George Abbott. The story was based on the 1892 play '' Charley's Aunt'' by Brandon Thomas. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1948 and was revived on Broadway ...

''. Her TV appearances include '' Boardwalk Empire'', ''

The Good Wife ''The Good Wife'' is an American legal political drama television series that aired on CBS from September 22, 2009, to May 8, 2016. It focuses on Alicia Florrick, the wife of the Cook County State's Attorney, who returns to her career in law ...

'', '' Matlock'', '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', and the Hallmark movie '' Cupid & Cate''. She appeared in the 2012 film '' Not Fade Away''. On January 11, 2016, Luker reprised the role of Lily in ''

'' 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 ...

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'' 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 1960 Southern Gothic novel by American author Harper Lee. It became instantly successful after its release; in the United States, it is widely read in high schools and middle schools. ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' ...

'' 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. Known for his work on Broadway theatre, Broadway stage, he's received numerous accolades including a Tony Awards, Tony Award, a Drama League Award and two Drama Desk Award, Dram ...

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, by October, the disease had progressed to the point where she had "no diaphragm" and thus could not speak loudly. She had been in a wheelchair for seven months at the time. In April 2020, Burstein contracted

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

(along with several other cast members of '' Moulin Rouge!'', 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 Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

''. 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 cast recording, original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums, as ...

)

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 ''Wonderful Town'' is a 1953 musical theatre, musical with book written by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and music by Leonard Bernstein. The musical tells the story of two sisters who aspire to be ...

'' (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) *'' Brigadoon'' (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) *''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 owned by the Disney Music Group. The label releases soundtrack albums from the Walt Disney Company's Walt Disney Studios (division), motion picture studios, television shows, Disney Experiences, them ...

) *''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 Birmingham, Alabama American musical theatre actresses American sopranos Musicians from Birmingham, Alabama People from Helena, Alabama Deaths from motor neuron disease in New York (state) Singers from Alabama University of Montevallo alumni