Aldrich, Richard S. (1902–86), producer. Born in Boston, he served as president of the Harvard Dramatic Club and shortly after graduation founded an early summer stock group, the Jitney Players. In 1926 he became general manager of the American Laboratory Theatre, and two years later co‐produced his first New York show, La Gringa. For several seasons he was co‐producer, often uncredited, with Kenneth MacGowan, of several more shows. In 1933 he joined forces with Alfred de Liagre Jr., and, after several failures, found success with Petticoat Fever (1935). With Richard Myers he co‐produced the well‐received plays Margin for Error (1939) and My Dear Children (1940). Aldrich married Gertrude Lawrence in 1940 and later produced a successful revival of Pygmalion (1945) for her. Goodbye, My Fancy (1948), The Moon Is Blue (1951), and The Love of Four Colonels (1953) were all postwar successes of his, as were highly praised revivals of Caesar and Cleopatra (1949) and The Devil's Disciple (1951). For many years he operated the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts, and also ran the National Theatre in Washington in conjunction with Myers.

• Born: 1902 08 17
• Died: 1986 03 31

Biography

Richard Aldrich is best known as a producer of Broadway shows. He married theatrical star Gertrude Lawrence who died of cancer in 1952. Later he wrote a biography about her which was eventually turned into the film musical Star in 1968. Aldrich served as technical advisor. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide