This has taken me a long time to process. Mike was kind of my senpai at UofC, and I probably sang more with him than anyone else. The sizable CD collection in my basement stands as a testament to his influence. His encyclopedic knowledge was a gift that could make the mundane glamorous. One day, Mike pointed out a woman stepping off Wacker Drive with shopping bags, immediately recognizing that she was none other than Frederica von Stade. Flicka in person! And then, after we had just performed with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society on the north side, a few of us stopped at a diner. As I took a seat recently vacated by a slightly balding man, Mike exclaimed, "You're sitting in John Malkovich's seat! Is it still warm? How does it feel?" During an intermission at the Lyric, Roger Weiss spotted us and invited us into the Patron's Room. There, over drinks with Howard Brown, they introduced us to Andrew Porter, saying, "You'll be reviewing these two some day!" Well, that never happened (so far as I know!) though I did end up singing at a few opera companies here and there before moving on to IT work. As my kid and I were planning a college visit to Chicago, I saw his involvement with Music Theater Works and was looking forward to catching up with him someday, but alas, our March 2020 visit was cancelled. There was a show I really wanted to tell him about.

It was my great fortune to have Mike as a director. His ability to draw the most out actors and realize his vision for a production were only two of his amazing traits. He was a collaborator and all cast and crew loved working with him. Unfortunately I did not know him well, but his reputation as an inspiration and a fun loving director preceded him. I will miss him and always remember him fondly.

He was one of the first people I met when I moved to Chicago to begin a faculty position in music. The department administrator enlisted Mike to help me unpack my truck when I first pulled into town. He refused to take any money, but he did let me buy him a beer at Jimmy's. I was in awe of his knowledge of repertory; he was chapter-and-versing me especially on Kurt Weill operas. I though, Jeez, and I'm supposed to be the music professor here? That was perhaps my first introduction to the quirky eccentricity and sheer impressiveness of students at U Chicago.  When Philip Gossett, a famous scholar of Italian opera, retired as dean of the humanities in 1999, as department Chair I fell into the role of putting together his retirement celebration. Ted Cohen authored a pastiche of various Italian opera arias with contra-facta that narrated Philip's personality; Mike sang the part of Philip, memorably, including an episode over an uncooperative photocopy machine where he sang a rage aria from a Handel opera ("I rage! I burn!"). A good singer and a real comic talent.  I hope he had a good adult life. 59 is way too young to die. I'm heartened to learn that he had family, disheartened to imagine what they must be going through.

I had the pleasure of working with Mike for many years. Always looked forward to speaking with him on the telephone about our life experiences outside of our business relationship. One of the kindest and nicest individuals I ever had the privilege of knowing. I will miss him. Mark Tannen

Sending my condolences to the family. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember interning at music theater works when Mike was there. He was so kind, funny and very knowledgeable and he will be so dearly missed.

I only learned of Mike's death today, February 7th, through a post that appeared in my Facebook feed. I was so shocked that I immediately phoned a friend in Chicago to be sure that I was interpreting the post correctly. The last time that I saw Mike was a chance encounter on 57th Street in Hyde Park (where I think we were both living at the time; at least, I was living there and he was working there), not long after the birth of Jack. I asked him how things were going, and he replied, with the brightness and humor that were always so characteristic of him, "We're TIRED!" Mike, I'm so sorry that I can never see you again. Ann, I can't imagine the pain of your loss, but please accept my condolences.

May the Lord Bless and keep you at this time and always. I am so very sorry for your loss.