Frank_E._Gates
Gates and Morange was a New York City based firm of designers and builders established in 1894 by brothers Frank E. Gates (July 12, 1863, Keokuk, Iowa – December 18, 1952, Bronxville, New York)[1] and Richard H. Gates (June 25, 1872, St. Louis, Missouri – September 16, 1964, Newport, Vermont),[1] and the artist Edward A. Morange (March 20, 1865, Cold Spring, New York – May 19, 1955, Torrington, Connecticut).[2] The firm had a prolific career as scenic designers for Broadway from the 1890s through the 1930s; creating sets for more than 50 productions. The firm also created designs for trade shows, exhibitions, and businesses. While the organization's work as set designers ended after the mid-1930s, the firm continued to operate in other capacities until it closed in 1953.[3]
Gates and Morange first drew widespread acclaim in 1895 for their designs for two works: the road musical Off the Earth and the Broadway play Kismet by playwright Richard F. Carroll.[2] Some of their more celebrated designs included the orchard scene in C.M.S. McLellan's drama Leah Kleschna (1904, Manhattan Theatre) and the London Bridge set for the 1912 revival of J. Comyns Carr's play Oliver Twist; adapted from the Dickens novel.[2]