Broadway producer David Merrick is shown in New York's theater district restaurant, Sardi's, in this April 4, 1996 photo. Merrick, who suffered a stroke in the early '80s that severely affected his speech and forced him to use a wheelchair, died early Tuesday in London, according to a statement released in New York, Wednesday April 26, 2000 by the David Merrick Arts Foundation. He produced more than 80 plays or musicals on Broadway including ''Gypsy,'' ''Hello, Dolly!'' and ''42nd Street." (AP Photo/Rick Maiman)