Gilbert Lesser, 55; Theater Poster Designer

Gilbert Lesser, an internationally recognized theater poster designer and former promotion art director for Life, Fortune and Money magazines, has died in New York City. He was 55.

Lesser, a Manhattan resident, died Tuesday of cancer.

Among his award-winning posters promoting Broadway productions were those for “The Elephant Man,” “Equus,” “Mornings at Seven” and “The American Clock.”

Although a $2-million Broadway production of “Frankenstein” folded after a one-night stand, Lesser’s poster for the play was snapped up by the New York Museum of Modern Art as one of several of his works now in the museum’s permanent collection.

“The show’s folding notice wasn’t even up yet, when the museum called to tell me the poster had been chosen for its permanent collection,” he said later. “It’s the highest of honors.”

Eighty of Lesser’s posters were shown at Paris’ Louvre in 1987 and at London’s Design Museum in 1989. The Louvre has requested a complete set of his designs for its Poster Museum collection.

Lesser also designed costumes and stage sets for plays and operas. His work included sets for “The American Dream” and “Threepenny Opera” at the Berkshire Playhouse and for “Mefistofele” and “Fidelio” for the Opera Company of Philadelphia.

Three years ago, Lesser established his own company to create, plan and organize special events. Examples of his promotional work included a logo and brochure for the first convocation of the European Economic Council in Paris, Life’s 50th anniversary gala at Radio City Music Hall and the 100th Anniversary celebration of Actor’s Equity.

Born in Baltimore, Lesser was educated at Maryland Institute’s College of Art and Johns Hopkins University.

He is survived by his father, Nathan Lesser, of St. Petersburg, Fla., and a sister, Elaine Hinkle, of Rockville, Md.