Tim Albrecht, New York-based guest choreographer for Diamond Head Theatre's current musical hit, "Cinderella," died of an apparent heart attack in Los Angeles on Friday. He was 41.

"He had just left on Friday for a job in L.A. and was expecting to return in April to Honolulu," said Deena Dray, DHT executive director. His Hawai'i cast got word of his death shortly after Saturday's matinee.

"They were devastated, and it was a very hard few hours with lots of weeping and hugging," Dray said.

The evening performance was dedicated to Albrecht.

"He was enormously talented, creative, but most importantly, he always made it fun," said John Rampage, DHT artistic director.

Apparently, Albrecht showed no signs of failing health. "He went to the gym regularly, he swam, he was very active," Rampage said. "I don't know of any health problems. And his career was really taking off. He was choreographing 'The View,' and he was going to (choreograph) Rosie O'Donnell's cruises out of Miami."

Albrecht previously choreographed DHT's "Seussical" and choreographed and directed "The Full Monty" in 2005, for which he won a Po'okela Award.

Albrecht grew up in Great Falls, Mont., and moved to New York in 1988.

Survivors include his parents, Ken and Bunky Albrecht, and siblings Denise and Joe.

A Dec. 18 funeral will be in Great Falls, and a Jan. 8 memorial and lu'au will be held in New York. A Honolulu service is pending.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.