Herb Rogers, the longtime producer who introduced professional summer-stock theater to Hawai'i in 1966, died Oct. 4 of a cancer-related illness. He was 83 and died at his home in Hawai'i Kai.

Rogers brought numerous Broadway musicals and comedies to the Islands in the 1960s and '70s, including "A Chorus Line," which broke box-office records in the summer of 1979.

He also created the Honolulu Civic Light Opera.

Rogers loved the theater, said Scott Rogers, oldest of his three sons.

"He always said to his kids, 'You gotta do what you love,' and he really enjoyed every aspect of putting shows together. He was very, very involved, from the hiring of the director to casting, to designers."

Rogers was born in Seattle in 1922.

He attended the University of Washington and was a lifelong Huskies fan. He produced touring Shakespeare companies when he was 21.

In the 1950s, he promoted theater-in the-round with the Tent-house Theater — in Chicago, under a tent — and at the Palm Springs Playhouse.

Rogers produced more than 500 plays and musicals.

He brought professional theater to Hawai'i, Scott Rogers said. He brought shows with Broadway casts, but found room for a handful of local actors, too.

In the summer of 1966, Rogers brought a six-show, 12-week season of Broadway musicals with name actors of the day — Howard Keel, Ann Blyth, Roger Smith, Miyoshi Umeki and Margaret Whiting — performing at what was then called the Honolulu International Center.

Honolulu audiences, unused to so many productions with big-name stars, were enthusiastic, enjoying "My Fair Lady," "The Sound of Music," "Guys and Dolls" and "Mame."

Rogers lived in Beverly Hills when he wasn't producing shows in Hawai'i, but moved to Hawai'i about four years ago.

He is survived by his sons, Scott, Steven and Stuart; and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be Monday in Los Angeles.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.