Vinton Freedley

Freedley, Vinton (1891–1969), producer. Born in Philadelphia and educated at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, he began his theatrical career as an actor, appearing in such diverse entertainments as the musical comedy For Goodness' Sake (1922) and the expressionist drama The World We Live In (1922). In 1923 he joined forces with Alex A. Aarons, and for the next ten years the team produced some of Broadway's most interesting musicals, including Lady, Be Good! (1924), Tip‐Toes (1925), Oh, Kay! (1926), Funny Face (1927), Hold Everything! (1928), and Girl Crazy (1930). The men also built the Alvin Theatre, deriving its name from the first syllables of theirs. With the coming of the Depression they lost the theatre and dissolved their partnership. Freedley continued to produce alone, his more successful or memorable offerings being Anything Goes (1934), Red, Hot and Blue! (1936), Leave It to Me! (1938), Cabin in the Sky (1940), and Let's Face It! (1941). At various times he also served as president of the Actors' Fund of America, the American National Theatre and Academy, and the Episcopal Actors' Guild and held important positions with the American Theatre Wing and the Council of Living Theatre.