Grant Richey
Grant Richey died Thursday, November 26, 2009 from cancer. He was 49. Beloved on and offstage by his students at North High School in North St. Paul, students from Steppingstone Theatre and the many casts and crews from his professional career, he led a life rich in theatre, family and friends. The theatres he graced in the Twin Cities include The Children's Theatre Company, Theatre de la Jeune, Park Square, Cricket Theatre and Penumbra Theatre. He is perhaps best known for his appearances in Martini & Olive which he also wrote.
A few years ago while working in a local theatre, the director of a show suddenly walked out bringing the music director and choreographer with him. They had already cast the show. The theatre was left with a cast and no staff. Rehearsals were to have started. The cast was excited about the show and the theatre did not want to tell them that they were no longer in the show and so scrambled to find a director who would inherit a show already cast. As we made phone call after phone call searching for a new director, we were gratified by the generosity of the Twin Cities theatre community.
Grant Richey called me. I did not know him personally. He heard of the theatre's dilemma and offered his services. He would happily inherit the cast. He was currently working on the spring musical at North High School and said he could arrange his rehearsals so that he could direct afternoons at North and evenings at our theatre. Directing two musicals at one time is a huge undertaking. I will never forget the generosity of his offer.
Grant Richey's play of two deliciously-loungey performers Martini and Olive will be revived by the Bryant Lake Bowl at the end of December. See website for details. A memorial service will be held in Kansas and there will be a later service in the Twin Cities. It will be announced through the Caringbridge site.
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