Thomas J. Gates, longtime Broadway stage manager, died after being hit by a train

Thomas J. Gates, a longtime Broadway stage manager, died Wednesday, May 8, after being struck by a New Jersey Transit train.

Gates, 51, of South Orange, was fatally struck by a train on the Morris and Essex Line at 9:12 a.m. Wednesday near South Orange Station.

His death was confirmed Illinois, where Gates served as production manager. The Tony-nominated musical, now playing at the St. James Theater, celebrated its current Broadway run the night before and canceled its Wednesday performance.

Gates is popular in the theater industry and got his start on Broadway in 2001 as assistant stage manager in the revival of ” noises out. He then continued working Hairspray, Brooklyn, Hi-Fi, Finian’s rainbow, Newsies, Pippin, The visitAnd Waitress. Off-Broadway, Gates worked on the production of “ The Gardens of Anuncia last year, as well as the drama The fears.

Gates’ survivors include his husband and fellow stage manager Rick Steiger.