The world of Broadway has lost a true legend. Robin Wagner, one of the most celebrated set designers in the industry, passed away in his sleep at the age of 89. With three Tony Awards and an impressive list of credits including “Angels in America,” “Dreamgirls,” “A Chorus Line,” “The Producers,” and “Jelly’s Last Jam,” Wagner’s impact on the stage cannot be overstated.
Born in San Francisco, Wagner discovered his passion for set design while attending the Palace of Fine Arts. He quickly made a name for himself in both Off Broadway and Broadway scenes after moving to New York in the early 1960s. His major breakthrough came with the original production of “Hair” in 1968, and from there he went on to design sets for countless productions, including “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Victoria/Victoria,” “The Boy From Oz,” “42nd Street,” and “Dreamgirls.” In total, he designed an impressive 63 Broadway plays and musicals between 1961 and 2012.
Wagner’s talent was recognized with 10 Tony nominations, and he took home the award three times for “On the Twentieth Century” in 1978, “City of Angels” in 1990, and “The Producers” in 2001. He also designed sets for opera and ballet productions, including the Metropolitan, Vienna State, Royal Swedish, Royal Opera Covent Garden, and New York City Ballet.
Beyond his impressive career, Wagner was also a dedicated member of the theater community. He served as a trustee of the Joseph Papp Public Theater and was a founding member of Ensemble Studio Theater. He even taught in the graduate theater arts programs at Columbia University and New York University.
Wagner is survived by his partner, Susan Kowal, and his children Kurt Wagner, Leslie Wagner, and Christie Wagner Lee (and her husband Richard), as well as his granddaughter Clementine Lee. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and all who were touched by his incredible talent.
