Herbert Dillea
Herbert Dillea is a Broadway performer known for My Wife Won't Let Me, The Head Waiters, and The Floor Walkers. Explore their Broadway credits, shows, and songs below.
Part of our Broadway Credits Database, a resource for musical theater fans.
About
Otho Herbert Dilley, who worked professionally under the name Herbert Dillea, was born on December 19, 1870, in Guernsey County, Ohio. An American composer, songwriter, and conductor, he built a career centered on Broadway musical theater and theatrical conducting before his death from tuberculosis on April 1, 1909, in Senecaville, Ohio.
Dillea composed the music for three Broadway musicals: The Floor Walkers in 1900, The Head Waiters in 1902, and My Wife Won't Let Me in 1906. In addition to composing, he served as music director for the Broadway productions of each of these works. He also contributed book writing to his stage credits.
Beyond his theater work, Dillea gained recognition as a songwriter through "Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder," published in 1900 and written for The Floor Walkers. The song became a popular standard and was recorded multiple times by singer Harry Macdonough and cornetist Jules Levy for the Victor Talking Machine Company and Columbia Records between 1902 and 1905. Wayne King recorded the piece again in 1947. Dillea also composed the ragtime work "Rag Time Society," which the Metropolitan Orchestra recorded several times for Victor in 1901 and 1902.
His conducting activities extended beyond Broadway to Chicago, where he was active in theatrical work. At the time of the Iroquois Theatre fire in 1903, Dillea was serving as the resident director of that venue's orchestra.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Herbert Dillea?
- Herbert Dillea is a Broadway performer known for My Wife Won't Let Me, The Head Waiters, and The Floor Walkers. Otho Herbert Dilley, who worked professionally under the name Herbert Dillea, was born on December 19, 1870, in Guernsey County, Ohio. An American composer, songwriter, and conductor, he built a career centered on Broadway musical theater and theatrical conducting before his death from tuberculosis o...
- What shows has Herbert Dillea appeared in?
- Herbert Dillea has appeared in My Wife Won't Let Me, The Head Waiters, and The Floor Walkers.
- What roles has Herbert Dillea played?
- Herbert Dillea has played roles as Composer, Musical Director.
- Can I see Herbert Dillea at Sing with the Stars?
- Sing with the Stars hosts invite only karaoke nights with real Broadway performers in NYC. Request an invite and let us know you'd love to sing with Herbert Dillea. The more people who request someone, the more likely we are to make it happen.
Roles
Broadway Shows
Herbert Dillea has appeared in the following Broadway shows:
Characters
View all 29 characters →Characters from shows Herbert Dillea appeared in:
Songs
Songs from shows Herbert Dillea appeared in:
Related Performers
Other performers who have appeared in the same shows:
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