A Legendary Voice of Broadway: Harry Haun Leaves an Enduring Mark on the Theater World
When Harry Haun joined The Observer's roster in 2012, he brought with him a legacy that spanned over five decades of chronicling the world of theater. As a titan of arts journalism, his bylines had previously appeared in some of the most esteemed publications, including the LA Times, Broadway World, and Film Journal International. Haun's extensive writing career was marked by an unwavering passion for storytelling and a deep respect for the people who bring plays and musicals to life.
For 37 years, Haun held court as a regular contributor to Playbill, penning columns such as "On the Aisle" and "Theatregoer's Notebook." His writing was characterized by wit, warmth, and encyclopedic precision, making him an authority on all things theatrical. With a keen ear for storytelling, Haun wove narratives that not only chronicled the highlights of Broadway but also delved into the human side of show business.
Throughout his tenure with The Observer, Haun filed nearly 300 articles, featuring reviews, interviews, and features that showcased his unmatched dedication to covering the theater world. Connections forged over decades of reporting granted him insider access to A-list talent, including Jessica Chastain, Harvey Fierstein, and Susan Schulman. Haun's commitment to sharing character-driven stories earned him the respect of industry insiders and readers alike.
The Outer Critics Circle recognized Haun's contributions in 2024 by awarding him a Special Achievement Award for his remarkable career and lasting impact on the theater community. Despite facing health challenges, Haun continued to write features for The Observer and remained a familiar presence at theaters across the city.
When Suzanna Bowling interviewed Haun years ago, she asked about his fondest memory of New York. Haun replied with characteristic candor: "What I've done, I have loved... It's like angel food cake… It's the nearest thing to heaven we have in New York." This poignant response encapsulates the essence of Haun's relationship with Broadway – a profound love and reverence for the art form that defined his life's work.
Harry Haun is survived by his husband, Charles Nelson. His passing marks the end of an era in theater journalism, but his legacy will live on through the countless stories he told and the people he championed along the way.
When Harry Haun joined The Observer's roster in 2012, he brought with him a legacy that spanned over five decades of chronicling the world of theater. As a titan of arts journalism, his bylines had previously appeared in some of the most esteemed publications, including the LA Times, Broadway World, and Film Journal International. Haun's extensive writing career was marked by an unwavering passion for storytelling and a deep respect for the people who bring plays and musicals to life.
For 37 years, Haun held court as a regular contributor to Playbill, penning columns such as "On the Aisle" and "Theatregoer's Notebook." His writing was characterized by wit, warmth, and encyclopedic precision, making him an authority on all things theatrical. With a keen ear for storytelling, Haun wove narratives that not only chronicled the highlights of Broadway but also delved into the human side of show business.
Throughout his tenure with The Observer, Haun filed nearly 300 articles, featuring reviews, interviews, and features that showcased his unmatched dedication to covering the theater world. Connections forged over decades of reporting granted him insider access to A-list talent, including Jessica Chastain, Harvey Fierstein, and Susan Schulman. Haun's commitment to sharing character-driven stories earned him the respect of industry insiders and readers alike.
The Outer Critics Circle recognized Haun's contributions in 2024 by awarding him a Special Achievement Award for his remarkable career and lasting impact on the theater community. Despite facing health challenges, Haun continued to write features for The Observer and remained a familiar presence at theaters across the city.
When Suzanna Bowling interviewed Haun years ago, she asked about his fondest memory of New York. Haun replied with characteristic candor: "What I've done, I have loved... It's like angel food cake… It's the nearest thing to heaven we have in New York." This poignant response encapsulates the essence of Haun's relationship with Broadway – a profound love and reverence for the art form that defined his life's work.
Harry Haun is survived by his husband, Charles Nelson. His passing marks the end of an era in theater journalism, but his legacy will live on through the countless stories he told and the people he championed along the way.
just thinkin bout all the times i was scrollin thru playbill and saw harry hauns name as some kinda rockstar of theatre journalism and now hes gone 
whatever you call it, hes definitely leavin behind a mark thatll be felt 4 a long time
. I mean, who else can make you feel like you're right there in the audience, feeling every emotion alongside the characters? 
His legacy is gonna be missed, but I'm so glad we got to enjoy his words for 37 years 
... and, of course, angel food cake 
Harry Haun's impact on the theater world is still so profound even though he's no longer with us... 37 years at Playbill is insane, and all those articles must've been a labor of love 
I mean, who else gets to interview Jessica Chastain and Harvey Fierstein? 
it's crazy how much love and respect he got from industry insiders and readers alike during his time with The Observer... I wish he was still with us to see the theater world evolve 
even though his health challenges were tough, he kept on writing and sharing those amazing stories 
anyhoo, that quote about angel food cake making it to heaven is honestly giving me chills 
but then suddenly we were like, what's the point of even swimming when there's just so much pollution in the ocean? ugh it got me thinking about how we need to take better care of our planet 
anyway back to Broadway have you ever been to a live musical that just blows your mind? i mean like, the energy of the crowd and the talent on stage its something else...
it's like a chapter from our favorite book closed forever. He was more than just a journalist, he was a storyteller who brought us closer to the magic of Broadway 
his writing was like a warm hug, making you feel seen and understood. I'm gonna miss reading his words and hearing about the people behind the shows that captured my heart 
anyway i'm kinda sad that his legacy is ending but at least we got all these awesome stories from him right? like that angel food cake quote tho it's so poetic 
I was just thinking about trying out that new angel food cake recipe my friend's aunt sent me. You know, it's supposed to be super light and fluffy... anyway, back to Harry Haun 
I heard they're pretty good...
. He was like a warm hug from Broadway itself - always there, always passionate, and always sharing the magic with his readers 
. His legacy is definitely going to be missed, but at least we have all those amazing stories he wrote about the industry and its people 
. I'm sure there are so many talented journalists waiting in the wings to carry on Harry's torch 
37 years with playbill is insane, i remember reading his columns and feeling like i was getting a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of theatre 
anyway, it's crazy to think that this legend is no longer with us 
and his writing style was just so relatable, you know? 
RIP Harry Haun, your mark on the theater world will never be forgotten 