By SHARON EBERSON
Charles Gray, who served as executive director of Pittsburgh CLO from 1982 to 1996, years that included the founding of the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater and opening of the CLO Academy, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at age 90.
The Pittsburgh CLO announced his passing with “profound sadness” on Monday, saying, “Mr. Gray left an indelible mark on the Pittsburgh arts community through his unwavering commitment to musical theater and arts education.”
“During his 14-year tenure, he produced an impressive 85 musicals, directed landmark productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar, and toured nine productions, including the premiere of Lunch,” the PCLO press release said.
Mark Fleischer, current executive producer of Pittsburgh CLO, said in a statement, “Charlie Gray was a visionary leader whose contributions to Pittsburgh CLO and the broader arts community will be remembered for generations. His dedication to expanding the reach of musical theater beyond the performance on stage and his commitment to arts education are what will be a lasting impact on countless lives. He will be deeply missed.”
Pittsburgh CLO honors Mr. Gray’s commitment to arts education advocacy with the Charles Gray Award, given annually to an elementary, middle or secondary school in Allegheny County who “has demonstrated an enduring commitment to providing, preserving, and developing quality arts education for all students as part of the required curriculum.”
The CLO Academy’s auditorium also bears his name.
The PCLO announcement listed many of Mr. Gray’s accomplishments, which include overseeing the creation of the Gallery of Heroes in-school program and other innovative initiatives such as the Creative Vision Program and New Horizons for individuals with disabilities.
Jim Scriven, director of education at Pittsburgh CLO, added, “Charlie Gray’s legacy in arts education is unmatched. From the Gene Kelly Awards to the Creative Vision and New Horizons programs, his passion for ensuring young people and individuals with disabilities had access to theater continues to resonate deeply in our community.”
Under Mr. Gray’s leadership, the statement said, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theater was established in 1988, to recognize the lifetime contributions of outstanding musical theater talents. Created in collaboration with the families of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, along with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, this prestigious award has honored a remarkable list of recipients, including Mary Martin (1988), Dame Julie Andrews (1989), Harold Prince (1991), Sir Cameron Mackintosh (1992), Stephen Sondheim (1993), Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber (1996), Gwen Verdon (2000), Bernadette Peters (2002), Shirley Jones (2007), Kathleen Marshall (2008), Rob Marshall (2008) and Stephen Schwartz (2009).
After his retirement, Mr. Gray remained involved in the arts, serving as Board President of Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Board Vice President of Gateway to the Arts, and Treasurer of The Woodlands Foundation, among other roles. He retained the title of Pittsburgh CLO Executive Director Emeritus.
Mr. Gray participated in the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater’s 35th Anniversary Reunion on August 30, 2024. “His presence and insights during this celebration exemplified his enduring commitment to the next generation of artists and educators, and he will be remembered fondly by all who attended,” the statement said.
Before coming to Pittsburgh CLO, Mr. Gray, a graduate of Princeton University, worked mostly as a stage manager on Broadway, starting in 1965, and a was production supervisor for Jesus Christ Superstar, which debuted in 1971.
Burial will be private, and further details will be shared as they become available, the PCLO announcement said.
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