Theater maven Stevenson dies
B'way lights to dim for 49-year ATW member, chair
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Stevenson was president of the org for 33 years. In 1998, she became its chairman of the board. In her positions with the ATW, Stevenson oversaw a diverse range of programs designed to bring theater to the community and nurture new theatergoers. Three programs -- Working in the Theater seminars, Introduction to Broadway and Theater-in-Schools -- were created by Stevenson.
The dedicated arts advocate joined the ATW board in 1954. Previously, she had a career in show business. As a performer, Isabelle Lebow made her debut in Earl Carroll's "Vanities," an annual musical extravaganza that rivaled Florenz Ziegfeld's "Follies" and George White's "Scandals." She toured the United States as a dancer and performed in a Royal Command Performance at London's Palladium before Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. In Paris, Le Figaro hailed her as "the blond Josephine Baker."
Stevenson also studied journalism at New York U. and fashion and costume design at the Traphegan School of Design. At Greystone Publishing, she supervised publication of books on decorating, design and sewing. In 1965, Stevenson became president of the American Theater Wing for what was expected to be an interim period.
In 1999, she received a special Tony for lifetime achievement; in 2001 she was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
Stevenson is survived by two daughters. Her husband, John, predeceased her.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today in New York at All Souls Unitarian Church, 1157 Lexington Ave.
On Broadway, the theater marquee lights will dim tonight in honor of Stevenson.
