Tony-Nominated Piaf Playwright Pam Gems Dies at Age 85

Tony-nominated playwright Pam Gems passed away on May 13 at age 85 in England.

Gems received Tony Award nominations for her 1997 play Stanley and for the book of 1999 musical Marlene. Her work was also seen on Broadway with the 1981 production of Piaf, a play with music that earned star Jane Lapotaire a Tony for her portrayal of the famous French singer. Piaf was revived at London's Donmar Warehouse in 2008 with an acclaimed star performance from Elena Roger.

The author of nearly 50 plays (with a specialty in scripts about iconic women), Gems' works include The Project, Guinevere, Queen Christina, Ladybird, Ladybird, Aunt Mary, The Blue Angel, Winterlove and Despatches, as well as adaptations of The Cherry Orchard and The Seagull.

Gems is survived by her husband, their two sons and two daughters.