Tom O'Horgan, the Drama Desk Award-winning, Tony-nominated director who brought a downtown ethic to his Broadway projects, including the original Broadway productions of Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, died in his sleep Jan. 11 at his home in Venice, FL. He had suffered from Alzheimer's disease in recent years. He was 84 years old.

Mr. O'Horgan was a composer, singer, actor, director and musician who directed many productions for Café La Mama, the downtown Manhattan institution that embraced experimental and non-commercial works. His Broadway credits include Hair, Lenny (for which he also composed music), Jesus Christ Superstar, Dude, The Leaf People, I Won't Dance, The Three Musketeers, and Senator Joe (which never officially opened). Off-Broadway, Mr. O’Horgan directed productions of Tom Paine and Futz!

Mr. O'Horgan won Drama Desk Awards as Outstanding Director for 1971's Lenny, 1969's Futz!, and was also the recipient of the Vernon Rice-Drama Desk Award for his direction of Paul Foster's Tom Paine, which was conceived for the La Mama troupe.

In 1969 he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Hair.

Mr. O'Horgan directed the film version of Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros starring Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder and Karen Black. He also directed and composed music for the film version of Futz!

Even after his commercial heyday, Mr. O'Horgan reportedly directed readings Off-Off-Broadway, or hosted workshops and concerts in his spacious loft.

A Chicago native, Mr. O'Horgan received numerous honors in recent years including an Honorary Doctorate from De Paul University and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Innovative Theater Awards.

Source: Playbill.com obit