Gillian Lynne

Gillian Lynne was an English ballerina, dancer, choreographer, actress, and theatre-television director.

She was noted for her theatre choreography associated with two of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, Cats and The Phantom of the Opera.

In her long career as a choreographer and director, Lynne worked on many productions including those from the Royal Opera House, Royal Shakespeare Company and English National Opera as well as many West End and Broadway shows.

She was also a prolific television choreographer and director, notably for The Muppet Show series and winning the 1987 BAFTA Huw Wheldon Award for her direction and choreography of A Simple Man, which starred Moira Shearer.

Lynne also won an Olivier Award for achievement in a musical for Cats, and earned a special lifetime achievement Olivier in 2013.

In 2014, at age 87, her work in dance and musical theater earned her the title Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

She was also nominated for two Tony Awards.

Lynne died July 1, 2018, in Marylebone, London, England. She was 92.