In case you haven't heard yet...
Michael Litfin of Children's Theatre dies
(Palo Alto Online)
Michael Litfin, the assistant director of the Palo Alto Children's Theatre who has directed generations of young actors in performances there, died Friday evening at Stanford Hospital.
He had been undergoing treatment for cancer, but a specific cause of death has not been disclosed.
Litfin told the Weekly late last week that he was undergoing treatment for stomach cancer and expressed a positive outlook, despite the strain of a police investigation into possible financial crimes involving theater staff.
Litfin joined the Children's Theatre staff in 1976.
He was one of four full-time theater staff members, including Director Patrica Briggs, who were placed on administrative leave Jan. 24 when the theater was abruptly closed. Police investigators moved in to comb through the offices, in addition to search the homes and computers of the staff members.
Litfin told the Weekly he was angry about the investigation and had hired an attorney. He was placed on leave the day before he was to enter intense therapy for the cancer, he said.
Litfin died at 7:50 p.m. Friday at Stanford Hospital, according to a friend, Katherine Govea Saunders, who sent out an e-mail to friends and some city officials.
"His mother and brother were at his side and his room was full of cards, pictures and warm wishes from his friends," Saunders said in the e-mail.
"The world has lost a great man, but we are buoyed by the love we felt from Michael this past week as well as the entire Theatre community," she said.
She requested that recipients pass the e-mail along.
Litfin was undergoing outpatient chemotherapy but complained of feeling bad early last week and was admitted to Stanford Hospital early Tuesday morning. He was later picked up by Briggs and friends but readmitted after suffering a relapse.
Young persons he had directed in plays and friends visited him, including state Sen. Joe Simitian.
As Litfin's condition deteriorated Friday, some young persons brought flowers but were told the hospital no longer accepts flowers in rooms. Some returned with a large photo of lilies. Some were crying openly.
When he asked to rest three hours about 5 p.m. Friday, some young persons wrote him notes.
In addition to his mother and brother from Minnesota, one friend flew in from Utah, according to friends who were present.
(Palo Alto Online)
Michael Litfin, the assistant director of the Palo Alto Children's Theatre who has directed generations of young actors in performances there, died Friday evening at Stanford Hospital.
He had been undergoing treatment for cancer, but a specific cause of death has not been disclosed.
Litfin told the Weekly late last week that he was undergoing treatment for stomach cancer and expressed a positive outlook, despite the strain of a police investigation into possible financial crimes involving theater staff.
Litfin joined the Children's Theatre staff in 1976.
He was one of four full-time theater staff members, including Director Patrica Briggs, who were placed on administrative leave Jan. 24 when the theater was abruptly closed. Police investigators moved in to comb through the offices, in addition to search the homes and computers of the staff members.
Litfin told the Weekly he was angry about the investigation and had hired an attorney. He was placed on leave the day before he was to enter intense therapy for the cancer, he said.
Litfin died at 7:50 p.m. Friday at Stanford Hospital, according to a friend, Katherine Govea Saunders, who sent out an e-mail to friends and some city officials.
"His mother and brother were at his side and his room was full of cards, pictures and warm wishes from his friends," Saunders said in the e-mail.
"The world has lost a great man, but we are buoyed by the love we felt from Michael this past week as well as the entire Theatre community," she said.
She requested that recipients pass the e-mail along.
Litfin was undergoing outpatient chemotherapy but complained of feeling bad early last week and was admitted to Stanford Hospital early Tuesday morning. He was later picked up by Briggs and friends but readmitted after suffering a relapse.
Young persons he had directed in plays and friends visited him, including state Sen. Joe Simitian.
As Litfin's condition deteriorated Friday, some young persons brought flowers but were told the hospital no longer accepts flowers in rooms. Some returned with a large photo of lilies. Some were crying openly.
When he asked to rest three hours about 5 p.m. Friday, some young persons wrote him notes.
In addition to his mother and brother from Minnesota, one friend flew in from Utah, according to friends who were present.