Darcy White, longtime Portland musical-theater music director and piano accompanist and the creative force behind the popular Cabaret White musical series, died in Portland on December 4, 2024, following a third round of cancer. She was 65.

White, who won several Drammy Awards for excellence in Portland theater and several PAMTA Awards during the years that those musical-theater awards existed, was immensely well-liked among her fellow theater and music artists, respected for both her sharp wit and her ability to work with other artists and help bring out their best.

“It’s a truth to say that Darcy White was a completely unique talent in the Portland arts community,” Cynthia Fuhrman, former managing director of Portland Center Stage, said in a Facebook post. “She gave us so many happy evenings of music and lifted so much local talent.”

Musical theater star Lisamarie Harrison added, with a dash of the sass that White also was affectionately known for: “Darcy White, you gorgeous, gregarious, joyful, talented broad. You made me sing better and laugh louder. You are missed, but your presence, and that million dollar smile, remain. Safe home, my beautiful friend.”

Musical directors don’t get the public recognition that actors and directors do, but within the theater industry good ones are deeply appreciated and in high demand. White worked frequently on shows all around greater Portland. “I think it would be easier to tell you what companies she didn’t work for than which ones she did,” Cabaret White’s marketing director and Darcy’s longtime friend Liz Bacon said. “As an accompanist and pianist she’s been a beloved figure for 41 years.” Among the theaters for which she often worked were Lakewood, Oregon Children’s Theatre, and the musical-theater specialists Broadway Rose.

White’s vivid backstage personality came out to the forefront especially in her cabaret shows, in which she was a sparkling and funny host, and which spotlighted the talents of many musical-theater and other singers in a relaxed nightclub atmosphere, often at Lake Oswego’s Lake Theater & Cafe. From 2011 to 2014 she was music director for Cabaret Chanteuse, working with singer and actor Gretchen Rumbaugh to provide a comfortable, clubby home for Portland vocalists. She founded Cabaret White in 2017, a project, as her obituary puts it, “that became one of her signature achievements and a hallmark of her creative legacy.”

“Family, community, and music were at the heart of who she was,” Bacon said. “Through Cabaret White, Darcy gave singers a unique space to refine their craft and share deeply personal stories. She had this incredible gift for trust in collaboration—she believed in you and brought out the best in you. But she wasn’t afraid to hold you accountable, doing so with a blend of gentleness and her signature saltiness. That honesty, paired with her warmth, is something artists truly valued.”

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“When, in the Spring of 2011, Darcy became the Music Director for my monthly singer showcase — Cabaret Chanteuse — together we created the female-centric synergy that I had been looking for, and for the next three-and-a-half years — and more than 40 co-produced shows — we had the time of our lives,” said Rumbaugh, who now lives in Seattle. “My heart breaks for all the Portland singers, actors, musicians, and students that over the last few decades Darcy accompanied, directed, and taught, having a lasting and loving effect on their lives and careers. I count myself lucky to have once been among them. Flights of angels, old friend.”

Darcy Lynn White was born Oct. 28, 1959, the first in her Canadian-heritage family to be born a United States citizen. In addition to her musical-theater career she had a long career as a psychiatric nurse, working with adolescents on drug and alcohol rehab, and volunteering on the annual Lung Cancer “Free to Breathe” Walk. She retired from Providence Health Plans in early November of this year as Senior Manager of Provider Relations & Behavioral Health Network.

Cancer became a large part of her final 16 years, hitting her first when she was 49. But she refused to let it dominate her life, her friends and family said; she disliked the common terminology of “fighting” cancer, preferring to spend her energy on the things she loved. “I am more than my cancer diagnosis,” she said.

April 1, 2023 was Cabaret White’s final performance, after which White was too ill to put on another. On March 20 of this year she sent a note to her friends, audiences, and musical collaborators via the cabaret’s Facbook page. “You guys … Today is Cabaret White’s birthday!” she wrote in part. “It feels like it was just yesterday that Dan Murphy hosted me for the very first of so many evenings of Cabaret White. As I reflect on the memories, my heart overflows with gratitude for each and every one of you who has been a part of Cabaret White. …

“I have some news to share. After a lot of contemplation and reflection, I’ve come to the difficult decision that it’s time for Cabaret White to gracefully step out of the spotlight. … I created this show because of my love for the art form of cabaret. I also love the music I get to make with some of the most talented people in this city. Portland is so lucky to have all of you — the best audiences, the best performers. I am so lucky too. …

“So here’s me over here saying hello, still working to get my steps in, and working even harder to encourage my post-chemo taste buds to once again savor a glass of red wine. A toast to Cabaret White!”

As word spread that White had died, friends and fellow theater people rushed to pay tribute on social media. Among the many comments on Facebook:

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— Chanda Walker Hall, artistic director, Staged! Musical Theatre: “Darcy White, you fabulous and compassionate BEAST. How lucky we were to have you in our orbit for a too-short time on this side of the curtain. … Love you, doll. You did good.”

— Isaac Lamb, actor and director: “I’m just gutted. I know the fight was so long and she fought it so bravely, but it seems unbelievable that she’s gone. You were so full of love and joy and deep, warm care, Darce. I will miss your smile, your sass, your twisted sense of humor, your ability to see through to the heart of people, the way you so effortlessly made a room of disparate folks come together to make music, and the beautiful work you created on stages and concert halls across our city. You leave such a big hole, my dear friend. You will be remembered.”

— Kristi Parker, fellow music director and accompanist: “She was a badass warrior, and fought a long, hard battle with cancer. I was so proud of her fight, and her grace, and her wit. … She was sassy, and smart, and funny, super artistic, and JUST SUCH A TREASURE. It’s really a heavy loss for my Portland theater community. I’m holding them all in my heart today as I remember my friend, Darcy.”

— Emily Sahler, actor and singer: “She occupied a unique and honored place in our musical theatre community, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I had to work with her. I don’t know about you, but praise from Darcy was absolutely treasured. … Rest well, dear one. Thank you for all your gave us.”

— David Saffert, pianist: “About a month ago Darcy White told me that one of her greatest joys in life had been music directing Anonymous Theatre’s production of The 25th Annual Putname County Spelling Bee. Our Portland music and theatre scene feels a tremendous void today.”

— Dorinda Toner, artistic director, Twilight Theater: “Darcy White I’m so glad I got to know you, my fellow ‘Canadian in America.’ Thanks for the laughs, the cabarets, the shows, and the music. I should have taken more photos. You were such a lovely, fun soul.”

— Becky Swann Larson: “I was so blessed to have known Darcy White during my nine year career at Providence and double blessed to have watched her perform her beautiful music at Broadway Rose Theatre. She fought her battle for many years, and fought with dignity. She is now flying with the angels in Heaven and ‘because I knew you, I have been changed for good.’ Rest now sweet Darcy, your fight is complete.”

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— Aubrey Slaughter, actor and singer: “I had the absolute gift of singing What I Did for Love while Darcy White accompanied me a few years back. I showed up at her home incredibly nervous and she stopped midway through the song and said, ‘oh my god someone who doesn’t sing it slow,’ and promptly started up again. I had no idea what I was doing as I was a last-minute addition to a set and was handed the song two days prior to performance. The first moment I met her, life felt lighter and brighter. She has this personality that radiates and draws you in.”

— Stephen Alexander, director, musician, and music director: “Songs of sorrow & joy today for Darcy White, incoming Music Director to the angels. We fellow music directors don’t do shows together a lot, though she did premiere a buncha my own compositions and made them sound AMAZING! We both piano conduct from our head, and she laughed that it was harder with her ‘chemo cut.’ She punched cancer in the face for YEARS, and insisted on laughter for every conversation. RIP friend. Please, move into my apartment and haunt me, that’d be fun!”

Darcy White is survived by her sister Cherie Shaver (husband Mike Shaver), sister Sam Earle (husband Ben Earle) and brother Craig White (wife Vicki White). A memorial service is planned for Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at Broadway Rose Theatre in Tigard. A private memorial will take place at 5 p.m., followed by a public Cabaret White Grand Finale celebration at 7 p.m., where the public is invited to gather for one last Cabaret White. For details, you can join the Cabaret White email list here.