Summer Stock Theatre

Shelly Gross, Over Guber-Gross, Dead

When I was a young actor in New York, one of the coveted touring jobs was on the Guber-Gross circuit. Guber and Gross toured many a musical, and employed lots of young Equity actors in the process.

I never worked for them, but had many friends who did. It was a great gig for a young performer; rehearse in or near the city, tour 8-10 weeks. I believe it was an Equity COST contract.

For those who don’t know, Gross, along with partner Lee Guber, was responsible for opening tent theatres in Westbury Long Island and Valley Forge PA, both known as “Music Fairs.” Tent theatres were popular in the 50s and 60s, including the flagship granddady of them all, the Music Circus , started in the area I grew up in, Lambertville, New Jersey, founded by St. John Terrel.

Here is the
link to Mr. Gross’ obit in the Times.