BETTY COMDEN - BROADWAY LYRICIST BETTY COMDEN DIES

Broadway lyricist BETTY COMDEN died in New York yesterday (23NOV06) of heart failure following a long battle with ill health. She was 89. Comden enjoyed a formidable 60-year working relationship with ADOLPH GREEN which produced the classic musicals SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and ON THE TOWN. Comden's attorney RONALD KONECKY says, "She was, in all respects, a very beautiful and legendary person. She was a dynamic figure in the arts, theatre and film." Comden and Green worked with a host of leading composers including LEONARD BERNSTEIN, CY COLEMAN and JULE STYNE, and won five Tony Awards. Comden married accessories designer STEVEN KYLE in 1942 and they had two children together. Kyle died in 1979 and their son ALAN passed away in 1990. Comden is survived by her daughter SUSANNA.