Derek Anson Jones, director, 38

["Deathwatch Central" <cdw@slick.org>]

Wednesday January 19 3:57 AM ET 

''Wit'' director Jones dies

By Robert Hofler

NEW YORK (Variety) - Derek Anson Jones, director of Margaret Edson's
Pulitzer Prize-winning play ``Wit,'' died Tuesday at St. Vincent's
Hospital in New York. He was 38.

Denis O'Hare, his longtime partner, said Jones died as a result of
complications from AIDS.

Jones was born on Feb. 24, 1961, in Washington, D.C., where he attended
Sidwell Friends School and first met playwright Edson. He received his
B.A. in theater and American civilization from Brown University.

For his direction of ``Wit,'' Jones won the 1999 Lucille Lortel Award and
received a Drama Desk nomination. In addition to the Edson play, he
directed ``Much Ado About Nothing'' and ``An American Daughter'' at the
Long Wharf Theater, as well as ``Angelique'' for the MCC Theater.

``Wit'' originated at the Long Wharf. Doug Hughes, the theater company's
artistic director, said Jones ``was a master of a number of theatrical
dialects, but his work was always characterized by a profoundly humane
spirit. Derek believed that the theater could really matter. In a brief
but extraordinary career, he demonstrated just that.''

In addition to O'Hare, survivors include Jones' parents, Raymond and
Gladys Jones of Washington, D.C., and a brother, Raymond, of Aurora, Colo.

Funeral services will be private. A public memorial service will be held
Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Union Square Theater in New York City. In lieu of
flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gay Men's Health
Crisis Center.

The L.A. production of ``Wit,'' starring original cast member Kathleen
Chalfant, opened Tuesday at the Geffen Playhouse.

Reuters/Variety 




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