"We want you to enjoy the show and each other's company," the widely recognized stage manager stoically said from the 7th St. The longtime stage manager for First Avenue Productions died Tuesday afternoon of lung cancer. He died at the hospital surrounded by family and friends, his older brother Lee Sverkerson of Minneapolis said. Conrad Sverkerson wheels in music equipment the day rapper M.I.A. Sverkerson is survived by his longtime partner, Dina Bizzaro of Minneapolis, and seven of his 10 siblings, plus 14 nieces and nephews.