Lawrence Hamilton

Lawrence Hamilton, a native Arkansan and one of Broadway's leading men, died Thursday at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City due to complications following bypass surgery. He was 59. Born to the late Dr. Oscar and Mae Dell Hamilton of Foreman, Ark., Hamilton studied Music at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia on a piano scholarship. Following graduation, he auditioned for and was invited to become a part of the entertainment cast at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Three years later, in 1977, a talent scout arranged a Broadway audition for Hamilton, where he was immediately cast in the production of "Timbuktu!" with Eartha Kitt and Melba Moore. And his professional achievements advanced from there. Hamilton's Broadway career as a singer, dancer and actor went on to include commanding performances in "The Wiz," "Porgy and Bess," "Jelly's Last Jam," "Sophisticated Ladies," "Truly Blessed," "Hot Mikado" and "Play On." Hamilton received critical-acclaim for his standout performances in the Tony-Award winning musical, "Ragtime" and his solo theatre piece "Looking Over the President's Shoulder," a one-man show about the first African-American chief butler at the White House Hamilton also enjoyed traveling the country and appearing in regional theatre productions. Some of his more memorable credits included "Fences," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Piano Lesson," "Big River," "Ain't Misbehavin'," and "Souvenir and Crowns." Hamilton's career continued to evolve as a voice coach and musical director for many accomplished performing artists. In the 1980s he was the musical director for the pop singing group New Kids on the Block, and later provided musical direction for Duke Ellington's "Sacred Music" concerts starring Grammy award-winning opera singer Jessye Norman at Saint John the Divine in Manhattan. He was the associate musical director along with Broadway conductor Linda Twine at the historic St. James Presbyterian Church in Harlem. And in 1997, he served as musical director for the TV special "Jessye Norman Sings for the Healing of AIDS," which included performances by Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg and Maya Angelou. His featured duets with legendary singers Lena Horne, Della Reese and Norman won Hamilton international renown. In 2002, Hamilton put his Broadway career on hold and returned to his home state by accepting the position of Cultural Affairs Director and Associate Professor of Humanities at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. He instantly became a legendary performer at countless concerts, benefit galas, church services, inaugurals and dinners for dignitaries, and other public and private entertainment events. His commanding voice and engaging character enraptured throughout the state. During his time in Arkansas, Hamilton performed in several productions at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and conducted summer workshops for youth-at-risk in partnership with Quapaw United Methodist Church. Hamilton was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame. Film and television credits for Hamilton included ‘The Night They Saved Christmas", ‘All My Children," "The Cotton Club," and "The Last Ride." His parents; and grandmother, Mrs. Eugene Kuyper, preceded him in death. He is survived by three sons: Paulo Peterson, Alton Hampton Hamilton & Terrence Hall Hamilton. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 8 at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 N. Mississippi in Little Rock. A memorial service in being planned in New York City and there will be funeral service and internment in Stamps, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Arkansas Repertory Theatre (601 Main St, Little Rock, Ark. 72201), or Women & Children First (PO Box 1954, Little Rock, Ark. 72203).