**Broadway Star Ken Page Passes Away at 70**

Broadway mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished performers, Ken Page, who was celebrated for his iconic roles in productions like "The Wiz," "Ain't Misbehavin'," and "Cats." Page passed away on Monday at the age of 70, as confirmed by close friends and colleagues. He peacefully departed at his home, leaving behind a legacy that has deeply impacted the theater community.

Dorian Hannaway, a friend of Page, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, expressing her sadness with the words, "Ken Page has passed onto the next show. My heart is broken." Actress Shari Belafonte also paid tribute on Facebook, describing him as "one of the sweetest, most talented guys on the planet." She noted the recent loss of other great talents, remarking, "Heaven is packing it in right now with brilliant talent."

Ken Page was born on January 20, 1954, in St. Louis. He burst onto the Broadway scene with a highly memorable debut, originating the role of the Lion in the 1975 hit musical "The Wiz." His career continued to shine with roles such as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the 1976 revival of "Guys and Dolls," and he graced the stage in "Ain’t Misbehavin'" in both 1978 and 1988. Page made a notable impression as Old Deuteronomy in "Cats" in 1982 and returned to Broadway in 1999 with "It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues."

The impact of Page's death is further compounded by the passing of Tony winner Gavin Creel on the same day, which has led to an overwhelming outpouring of grief from the Broadway community. Both of these significant losses underscore the profound sense of sorrow and the irreplaceable talent the world has lost.