[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         TRIBUTE TO TOM HUGHES

                                 ______


                            HON. JOHN BRYANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 1994

  Mr. BRYANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
exceptional American, Mr. Tom Hughes. Tom Hughes, the producer and 
managing director of the Dallas Summer Musicals, brought big-time 
musicals and their stars to Dallas for the past 33 summers. He died 
Sunday, April 10, 1994.
  He brought Katharine Hepburn, Richard Burton, Yul Brynner, Ginger 
Rogers, Gene Kelly, and Carol Burnett to Dallas, and gave Texans Tommy 
Tune and Sandy Duncan their first jobs. He launched the national tours 
last year of the Tony-winning ``Crazy for You'' and ``The Who's 
Tommy.''
  Many of Dallas theater's best-known boosters remembered the man with 
the ever-present cane, three-piece suits, and fresh flower in the lapel 
for his gentlemanliness as much as for his considerable artistic 
contributions.
  Tom Hughes began his theater career in Dallas in 1955, when he was 
named house manager of the State Fair Musicals. The name was changed to 
Dallas Summer Musicals in 1962. He worked as assistant to the producer, 
assistant managing director and executive production associate until 
1961, when he was appointed managing director, a job he held and 
performed with distinction until his death.
  This theater master was also executive director of the Tom Hughes 
Foundation, which was founded in 1983. The foundation brings national 
touring companies of dramas and musicals to the beautifully restored 
Majestic Theatre and the Music Hall during the months when the Summer 
Musicals are inactive.
  Mr. Hughes will be sorely missed not only by those in the theater 
world, whose work he nurtured so unselfishly, but also by the countless 
citizens throughout the area and the world who benefited from exposure 
to his theatrical productions.

                          ____________________