American composer Hank Beebe reportedly died on February 5, 2023, in United States. He was 96.
Beebe’s death was announced on Twitter by Steve Young and Dava Whisenant, the creators of Bathtubs Over Broadway on February 5.
“With heavy hearts, we are sharing the news that the great HANK BEEBE has died at 96”.
“Bathtubs’ fans know Hank for his legendary industrial shows like Diesel Dazzle & Got to Investigate Silicones, as well as for his warmth and wisdom that won him so many admirers”.
“Hank Beebe represented the best of humanity in so many ways. We will miss him terribly, we’re grateful that we knew him, and we’re grateful that we had the honor of sharing him with the world. We love you, Hank”, the post read.
Tweets by BathtubsOverBwy
Born July 16, 1926 in Woodbury, New Jersey, Hank Beebe received his Bachelor of Art in English and Masters in Musical Composition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He subsequently studied with composer Vincent Persichetti at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, and then, at Persichetti’s suggestion and moved to New York to seek a market for his work.
Beebe’s first job was as music director at WCAU television in Philadelphia on ‘’The Children’s Hour’’. In 1967, he worked briefly on The Mike Douglas Show before turning to musical theatre.
Beebe’s work (often with co-writer Bill Heyer) was shown and heard on big-name stages in New York and elsewhere. The most successful play, “The Cowboy and the Tiger,” ran at the off-Broadway stalwart York Playhouse for two years and was adapted for television in 1963.
Besides “The Cowboy and the Tiger,” Beebe had success with the musical “Tuscaloosa’s Calling Me,” which ran for more than 400 performances off-Broadway, and “Hellzapoppin,” which starred Jerry Lewis and Lynn Redgrave.
In 1980, Beebe moved to Maine, where he, his wife Nancy, and his daughter Selby created Embassy Players, a non-profit community theater group, to produce further musicals by Beebe.
Beebe’s role in the industrial musical movement was highlighted in a 2013 book, co-written by a former writer for David Letterman, called “Everything’s Coming Up Profits,” which served as the basis for a 2018 documentary film, “Bathtubs Over Broadway.”