42nd Street Librettist Mark Bramble Dies at 68

Mark Bramble, the three-time Tony-nominated book writer of 42nd Street and Barnum, has died at the age of 68. The cause was complications of hypertension.

Bramble began his career working as an apprentice in the office of David Merrick. He received Tony nominations for his Barnum and 42nd Street books, as well as for his direction of the 2001 Broadway revival of 42nd Street. Following the death of original director and choreographer Gower Champion, Bramble staged 42nd Street all over the world, in cities ranging from Shanghai to Vienna. A recent West End revival ended its nearly two-year run in January.

Working with book writer Michael Stewart, Bramble contributed to the books of The Grand Tour, Pieces of Eight, and Elizabeth & Essex, and he assisted on Mack and Mabel. Bramble also directed and wrote the book for the Henry Krieger musical Fat Pig.

An avid gardener and collector of rare and unusual specimen plants, Bramble had a prized orchid collection. Also a passionate collector of tea caddies, he penned the book A Tea Caddy Collection in 2017 and was believed to possess one of the largest and most important known collections today.

He is survived by David and Holly Bramble and Alan and Cathy Bramble, and numerous nieces and nephews.