Arena show producer Michel Grilikhes dies

LOS ANGELES, March 19 (UPI) -- Michel M. Grilikhes, a producer known for staging theatrical spectacles in arenas nationwide, died of kidney failure at a Los Angeles hospital at age 83.

Grilikhes' first arena show was in 1969, when he was asked to corral production costs of "Disney on Parade." By redesigning it, he cut the 130 actors and the 26 trucks of scenery by half, The Los Angeles Times said.

In the 1970s, Grilikhes staged an arena adaptation of the musical "Peter Pan," staring Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby.

His production of "The Wizard of Oz Live!" saw a cast of 40 actors lip-synch the musical in 70 cities.

Grilikhes and his wife, actress Laraine Day, led the development of a permanent production in 1963 in Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center, which became a tourist attraction in Hawaii.

While he was a television producer and director early in his career, Grilikhes said he came to prefer developing lavish productions for an audience of thousands.

Besides his wife, Grilikhes, who died March 9, is survived by two daughters, a son, a stepson, a stepdaughter, two sisters and several grandchildren.