The Passing of Ed Stern

From Legacy.com:

Edward was born on June 10, 1946 and passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Edward was a resident of Kentucky at the time of passing. He graduated from the University of Virginia (BA) and Indiana University (MA). Donations in his memory may be made to the Edward J. Stern Endowment for Artistic Excellence at Playhouse in the Park or to the University of Virginia Theatre Department.

Sent to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Supporters: 

Dear Playhouse Supporter,

As a member of our Playhouse family, we wanted to share with profound sadness the passing of Ed Stern (1946 – 2019).

Ed served as the Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director for 20 years from 1992 – 2012, fully one-third of the Playhouse’s history. During Ed’s tenure, the Playhouse:

• Won two Tony Awards
• Had three of our shows on Broadway and one off-Broadway
• Had productions on four continents
• Established a new play commissioning program
• Greatly expanded our education and outreach programs
• Completed a major renovation of the Playhouse’s public and production support spaces

Ed directed 40 plays during his 20 years here. A list of his shows can be found below. He set the bar for theatrical artistic excellence within our community. Beyond that, he helped foster the growth of the other professional theatres in town and championed all of the arts. Ed will long be remembered as one of the key leaders the Playhouse has ever had.

He will be deeply missed.

Sincerely,

Buzz Ward
Managing Director

PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTIONS DIRECTED BY ED STERN
1992-93 
The House of Blue Leaves 
Our Country’s Good 
Scotland Road

1993-94
Death and the Maiden 
Dancing at Lughnasa 
The Merry Wives of Windsor, Texas

1994-95
Inspecting Carol 
Hometown Heroes

1995-96
Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me 
Arms and the Man

1996-97
Private Lives

1997-98
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 
Coyote on a Fence 
The Little Foxes

1998-99
Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde 
Red Corners

1999-00
Much Ado About Nothing 
Wit 
A Little Night Music

2000-01 
Inherit the Wind

2001-02
King Lear 
Men on the Take

2002-03 
Ah, Wilderness 
The Smell of the Kill

2003-04
One 
Mister Roberts

2004-05
Twelfth Night 
The Retreat from Moscow

2005-06
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 
Stone My Heart

2006-07 
Of Mice and Men 
Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure

2007-08 
Othello

2008-09
Travels of Angelica 
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

2009-10
Victoria Musica 
The Fantasticks

2010-11
The Piano Teacher

2011-12 
God of Carnage 
As You Like It