Melvin Bernhardt

Melvin Bernhardt (February 26, 1931 – September 12, 2015) was an American stage and television director. He was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and much of his work has been in the New York City area. He is known for his productions of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Da, and Crimes of the Heart. Bernhardt began his career as a stage manager; he made his directorial debut in 1965 with Conerico was Here to Stay at the Cherry Lane Theatre.

Melvin Bernhard (he later added the "t" to his surname in tribute to Sarah Bernhardt) was born on February 26, 1931 in Buffalo, New York. His parents were Max Bernhard and Kate Benatovich. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University at Buffalo and his Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University. Beginning January 8, 1989 Bernhardt was partnered with New York based stage/television actor and audiobook narrator Jeff Woodman. The pair were married on September 10, 2011.

Bernhardt died in Manhattan, New York on September 12, 2015 after a fall at the age of 84.

Melvin Bernhardt began his career as a stage manager. He served as the stage manager for the original Broadway theatre productions of Diary of a Scoundrel and Livin' the Life. Bernhardt directed his first play, Conerico was Here to Stay, at the Cherry Lane Theatre in Manhattan in 1965. From there, Bernhardt directed plays throughout the United States, including productions in Hartford and Cincinnati and a national tour of Who's Happy Now? in 1968. He made his London directing debut in November 1972 at the Hampstead Theatre Club with his production of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. Bernhardt is known as an "actor's director", as he focuses more on character development than on elaborate staging. He is currently a member of the Honorary Advisory Committee of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

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