As a casting director, Merlin was involved in numerous landmark Broadway productions written by Stephen Sondheim.
She was, for many years, Harold Princes go-to casting director.
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A cause of death was not immediately available.
Joanna Merlin as dance teacher Miss Berg in ‘Fame’ (1980)Getty Images
After her performance inFiddler, Merlin segued, at least on Broadway, away from performance and to casting.
She also cast Andrew Lloyd WebbersEvitaand the Betty Comden-Adolph Green-Cy Coleman musicalOn the Twentieth Century.
The majority of Broadway shows cast by Merlin were directed by Prince.
‘Fiddler on the Roof’ with, from left, Joanna Merlin, Zero Mostel and Maria Karnilova (1964)Everett Collection
But her most widely recognizable role came with theLaw & Orderfranchise.
Here we were after she came to @funnygirlbwy.
I will not forget the breakthrough I had in her class.
I will miss her beautiful presence.
I am so honored to have been a small part of her life.
