Big Band, Theater Giants Die

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/15/1997 at 12:00 AM EDT

FRANKIE CARLE, 97, a big-band leader best known from his popular standard "Sunrise Serenade," died in Arizona last Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reported. Best-known for his performances in the 1940s and 1950s, Carle hit it big with "Carle Boogie," "Lover's Lullaby," "Sunrise in Napoli" and "Dream Lullaby" . . . Stage and TV producer and director WILLIAM HAMMERSTIEN, 82, died at his Connecticut home on Friday, reports the Associated Press. Among his productions were a Broadway and national tour revival of "Oklahoma!" (the show's lyrics were by Hammerstein's father, the legendary Oscar Hammerstein II) and the London premiere of "Fanny."