Tom Eyen, 50; ‘Dreamgirls’ Writer, Lyricist

Tom Eyen, who wrote both the book and lyrics for the musical “Dreamgirls” in 1981, capping a career that ranged from off-Broadway experimental theater to the daffy nighttime television series “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” has died in his sleep at his home in Palm Beach, Fla.

Alan Eichler, a family spokesman, said Monday that the Tony- and Grammy-winning author was 50 and died Sunday of cardiac arrest.

Once called “the Neil Simon of off-off Broadway” for his voluminous output of outrageous plays, Eyen moved into mainstream theater with “Dreamgirls,” based loosely on the career of The Supremes, the vocal group that spawned Diana Ross’ career.

Eyen had come to New York from Ohio in the early 1960s seeking a career as an actor.

As he told The Times in a 1983 interview in connection with the opening here of his play “Women Behind Bars:” “Actors are being told what to do all the time and writers don’t have to be told what to do.”

Eyen achieved commercial success with “The Dirtiest Show in Town,” which ran two seasons (1970-71) off-Broadway. He used comedy, nudity and profanity to attract audiences but also offered them social criticism couched in ribald settings.

His other off-Broadway hits included “The White Whore and the Bit Player,” “Why Hanna’s Skirt Won’t Stay Down” and “Sarah B. Divine.”

He joined the writing team of “Mary Hartman” in 1977 and that same year wrote Bette Midler’s first network special, “Ol’ Red Hair Is Back,” which won him an Emmy nomination. Both his Tony and Grammy awards came for “Dreamgirls.”

He was the original director for “Dreamgirls”--still memorable for Jennifer Holliday’s wrenching rendition of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”--but turned that job over to Michael Bennett who choreographed it into a Broadway triumph. Eyen had completed a screenplay for “Dreamgirls,” which is scheduled to be produced next year, Eichler said.

Yet to be produced are the stage musicals “Kicks” and “Dangerous Music” and a screenplay “Great Ladies.”

Survivors include his mother, Julia Eyen, three brothers and two sisters.