Robert Moore, Performer And Theater Composer, Dies
Times Picayune 01-11-1996

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Robert W. Moore, a prolific theater composer, musician and performer, died
Sunday of complications from AIDS at Lazarus House. He was 42.

A native of Rome, Ga., Mr. Moore moved to New Orleans in the early 1970s and
quickly became a fixture at local theaters.

He began as a performer at Gallery Circle Theatre in the musical "Hair," but
he became best known as a composer and musical director for productions at
several theaters. Recent productions with music by Mr. Moore included "Richard
III" at the Peristyle in City Park, "Frankenstein" at Loyola University and
"Moby Dick" at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center.

John Grimsley, who directed those productions, was one of Mr. Moore's frequent
collaborators. "I could call him up with any crazy idea, and he would be very
supportive but very honest," Grimsley said. "He could also come into a project
at the end and immediately see what was needed."

At the time of his death, Mr. Moore was working on the book and score for
"Slash," a musical spoof of slasher movies. He kept working throughout his
illness, commuting from Lazarus House last year to serve as musical director
for "The Wiz" at Benjamin Franklin High School.

Paul Werner, a teacher and director at Franklin, first worked with Mr. Moore
in 1976 on the original musical "One Star Rising" at Mount Carmel Academy. "He
worked very well with kids, but was also very demanding," Werner said. "He got
things out of them that they didn't know they had."

Both Grimsley and Werner recalled Mr. Moore's friendly, outgoing nature.
"Walking down the street with him, Bobby seemed to know everybody," Grimsley
said.

Werner said, "He had one of the biggest laughs. You always wanted Bobby in
your audience."

Survivors include two cousins.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at the NORMCA Art Studio,
1130 Decatur St. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home is in charge of
arrangements.