Broadway mourned the loss of Broadway producer Morton Gottlieb last week.  Although I never met Mr. Gottlieb, he was always close to my heart, because he came up like I did (or I came up like he did, whichever is more respectful), as a Company Manager first . . . in 1948 (I wonder what filling out house seat orders was like back then).

Morton’s biggest hit was Sleuth (which I hear may be on its way back to the boards in the next season or two – I’m just sorry, Morton won’t be able to see it).

He did leave us with this great quote about what it takes to do what we do, which is not much, and a helluva lot at the same time:

The Broadway Theater is the only place in the world where the easiest way to break in is by starting at the top.  You don’t need experience, you don’t need a license, you don’t need money.  All you need is chutzpah.  You call all the agents and say, “Here I am – a Producer!”

We’ll miss you, Mort.

Read the full obit here.