James Hammerstein
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James Hammerstein (March 23, 1931 - January 7, 1999) was an American theatre director and producer. He was the son of Oscar Hammerstein II.
Hammerstein attended the George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania, where he met fellow student Stephen Sondheim [1]. He began his Broadway career as a stage manager, notably for shows such as South Pacific, Me and Juliet, and Flower Drum Song co-written by his father Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers. The first play he produced was Blue Denim by James Leo Herlihy and William Noble and the first play he directed was Absence of a Cello. His other directing credits include The Indian Wants the Bronx, Wise Child, Butley, and State Fair.
Among the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals he directed were Oklahoma! (London and Australia), The King and I (Tel Aviv, US and UK tours), and Carousel [2].
Hammerstein was nominated for the 1997 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical Revue for I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and the 1990 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical for The Sound of Music.
Hammerstein had one child (Oscar Andrew) with his first wife Basia, two children (Will and Jennifer) with his second wife Millette Alexander and one child (Simon) with his third wife Dena.
He died in Manhattan after suffering a heart attack.
