Bernard Pomerance, the playwright best known for the Tony Award-winning play about a horribly deformed man that has lured some of Hollywood's biggest names, such as Bradley Cooper and John Hurt, has died. He was 76.
This 1979 image released by David LeShay shows Bernard Pomerance, playwright of "The Elephant Man," in New York. Pomerance died Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, of complications from cancer at his home in Galisteo, N.M. He was 76. (David LeShay via AP)
Longtime agent Alan Brodie said Tuesday that Pomerance died Saturday of complications from cancer at his home in Galisteo, New Mexico.
"The Elephant Man" was based on a true story and has been frequently revived since its 1979 New York debut. It examines the life of John Merrick, an extremely disfigured but indomitable man who becomes a celebrity in Victorian London.
On Broadway, such diverse performers as David Bowie and Mark Hamill eventually followed the mesmerizing Philip Anglim in the title role. Billy Crudup starred in a 2002 revival, and Cooper led one in 2014 that earned four Tony nominations. Hurt starred in David Lynch's 1980 film adaptation.
Pomerance's tale showcases the triumph of a very human spirit, personified by the sensitive, almost saintly Merrick. He is a man who finds safe haven in a London hospital after spending much of his life in second-rate carnivals as a freak attraction — and then blossoms into the confidante of celebrated actresses, statesmen and even royalty.
"Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of dreams," Merrick says at one point in the play. "Do you know what happens when dreams cannot get out?"
Pomerance's play also puts Merrick in the middle of a tug-of-war between science and religion. "The Elephant Man" becomes whatever the viewer wants. "I conclude that we have polished him like a mirror, and shout hallelujah when he reflects us to the inch," says his doctor.
Pomerance was born and raised in New York City and educated at the University of Chicago. Along with Roland Rees and David Aukin, Pomerance founded the theater company Foco Novo in 1972, a name taken from Pomerance's play of the same title. Pomerance also wrote "Quantrill in Lawrence" and "Melons," produced at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1984.
He is survived by his children, Moby and Eve; grandchildren William and Gabriel; and brother Michael.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Raphinha set up two early goals and Dani Olmo scored a double as Barcelona fought back for a 3-1 win over Alaves in La Liga on Saturday following the poor showing at Chelsea in the Champions League.
Lamine Yamal also delivered an inspired performance to shake off Barcelona’s 3-0 loss at Stamford Bridge midweek, when he was unable to show his usual attacking flair. The 18-year-old star scored Barcelona’s equalizer, delivered an assist and went close twice to adding another goal against Alaves, including a shot off the post late in the first half.
Raphina twice raced behind the defense on the left side of the area before squaring passes for Yamal and Olmo to score in the eighth and 26th minutes.
Olmo added a third goal in stoppage time when he worked a one-two passing combination with Yamal before firing home.
A key player in Barcelona’s domestic title double last season, Raphinha looked like his old incisive self at Camp Nou in his first start in two months since recovering from a right hamstring injury. He played limited minutes in a win over Athletic Bilbao last weekend and at Chelsea as a late substitute before Hansi Flick gave him the start.
Flick praised Raphinha for his effort in attack and defense, above all because his pressing was contagious among his teammates.
“Rafa (Raphinha) is a player who is dynamic,” Flick said. “We missed him.”
Barcelona’s fourth straight win in La Liga lifted it two points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the standings before Madrid visits Girona on Sunday.
Raphinha said that the team can still improve.
“Flick believes that we are not playing at our best, and I agree,” Raphinha said. “Even so, the important thing today was getting the win. We know we are not at our best, but we are working and I am sure we will get back to playing our best this season.”
Barcelona got another boost with the return of Pedri González after spending a month without its top playmaker.
Pedri went on with half an hour left, replacing Raphinha. The Spain midfielder had been out a month with a left-leg muscle injury.
Yamal’s shot into the top of the net cancelled out an opening-minute goal by Pablo Ibánez, when Barcelona failed to defend an Alaves corner and the attacking midfielder tapped in from close range.
Alaves, which has struggled to score all season, proved much more dangerous than expected. With the score at 1-1, Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García had to stretch to block a shot by Calebe.
Barcelona apologized to some 7,500 fans who had trouble entering the stadium due to a technical issue with their digital tickets. The club said all except 300 affected ticket holders were eventually able to enter.
Alexander Sorloth scored twice in the first half to lead Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, as Diego Simeone’s team moved into third place and three points off Barcelona’s lead.
Atletico visits Barcelona on Tuesday.
Nico Williams scored and hit the woodwork as the Spain forward shone in Athletic Bilbao's 2-0 victory at Levante.
Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi scored twice but Osasuna got two late goals for a 2-2 draw in the Balearic Islands.
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Barcelona's Dani Olmo celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Alaves, in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha, right, duels for the balls with Alaves' Nahuel Tenaglia during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Alaves, in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Dani Olmo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Alaves, in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Alaves, in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Dani Olmo, back, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Alaves, in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
