Barbara Janice Duncan

BARBARA JANICE “JAN” DUNCAN Sep 17, 1929 – Jul 13, 2018 Born as Barbara Janice Davis in Wilber, and raised in Auburn, Nebraska, “Jan” was a mid-western girl at heart.  Her friendly and conventional traits were grounded and defined by the gentle Plains and those straight-talking, down-home, cornhusker values. Jan was Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the FCLO Music Theater company.  For over 45 years, she and her husband Griff (deceased) brought musical theater to Southern California. Jan is survived by four children, seven grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Her journey in California began in 1946 when she graduated from high school and her family moved from Nebraska to California’s Central Valley. Here is her timeline:       She made her stage debut at age 6. During her childhood she studied piano and voice. After graduating from high school her plan was to pursue a career in opera. A move to the Central Valley by her family caused a detour to that dream.       In California, her beauty caught the eye of a local young man named Hal Moore, with whom she married and had three children, Gregg, Brett and Marilyn.       In 1959, she met Griff in the Church choir. After her first marriage had ended, they married, bought a house, and settled in Walnut Creek, CA.  Laura and Kyle were born, bringing the blended family to a total of 5 children.  That marriage lasted 58 years until Griff’s death in 2017.       In 1963, she and Griff founded the Contra Costa Musical Theatre, which is still in operation today. As co-founders, they honed their skills performing in shows, directing, producing and sitting on the board of directors.       Jan moved to Fullerton in 1968, when Griff’s job with Hunt Wesson transferred him to their Fullerton-based affiliate, the Glass Container Corporation.       From 1968-1971, Jan was actively involved in theater and choir at the Fullerton First United Methodist Church and the Fullerton Footlighters.       In the early 70’s with the help of the City of Fullerton, she and Griff founded the Fullerton Civic Light Opera, where their first production of “Fiddler on the Roof” was performed in Plummer Auditorium in February of 1972. They would continue to produce musical theater in Plummer for the next 40 years.       Jan found her stride as director, directing many productions over her long career. Among her proudest achievements are: winning 5 Ovation Awards, including Best Director for Miss Saigon in 2005; the 2001 Robby Award for Best Director for Jekyll and Hyde, which featured the version she co-wrote and which has since been licensed through FCLO by countless theater companies across the US.         She and Griff were recognized as the 2010 Man & Woman of the year Award from YWCA for their contribution to the arts in Orange County, CA.       Among her most-prized possessions is a signed letter from Meredith Wilson, the playwright of “The Music Man,” in which he states that her 1974 production was ranked in his top ten, all-time—and that includes productions from New York, London, Los Angeles, and Des Moines Iowa. Her husband, Griff, starred as Harold Hill in that production, and it also featured two of her children: Marilyn and Kyle.       Jan loved performing on stage and was an accomplished actress/singer, appearing in many roles. Some of her favorites were Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Lalume in Kismet, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Carlotta in Phantom, Julie in Show Boat, Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Ruth in Pirates of Penzance, Frumasara in Fiddler on the Roof, and Madame Liang in Flower Drum Song.       While music and theatre played an important role in her life, family always held the most meaning to Jan. She treasured her role as mother and grandmother and had a profound influence in the lives of her five children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.   She taught many of them how to cook, inspired a love of the arts, never forgot a birthday, and always hosted the best family get-togethers.       Jan and Griff co-founded the John Raitt Awards for Youth for Southern California high school theater departments in 2009. The 'JRAYs', named after Fullerton’s own Broadway legend, John Raitt, offers scholarships to high school Theater Arts students. From there, the winning participants are sent to New York City for special classes and to showcase their talents before casting directors and agents for the Broadway Artists Alliance.  Several JRAY winners have gone on to successful professional careers in Broadway theater and with national touring companies. Their wish is that the legacy of FCLO Music Theatre lives on in support of scholarships for youth in the Performing Arts.       Monetary donations in Jan’s name to the JRAY program are appreciated.       JRAY c/o Marilyn Gianetti: 1233 E. Central Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92831