Vivian Horne

Many of you out there have seen and read my articles of local theater reviews, and many various articles on theater. This story is about a very talented actress, director and theater technician. Let’s call her Vivian as a start.

As you know, when I review a show I like to inform my readers about the history and background, so let me set the scene.

Vivian got her start in theater many years ago in a fledgling new theater in Commack Long Island, New York.

She had a walk-on role known as “The Visitor” with about two lines. That was the first time I met her on stage. I played Alan Baker, the lead. Many shows followed where we performed together, such as “Don’t Drink the Water.” She had the lead of Marion Hollander, I played a priest, “Father Drobney,” major supporting role; “Fiddler on the Roof,” she — a villager; me — Lazar Wolf; “Night of January 16th,” Vivian — Magda Svenson, lead, and I, as John G. Whitfield, lead.

One of the best shows we did together was “Death of a Salesman.” We played the Lomans, Linda and Willy, in Cheshire, Conn. We were written up in the major papers in Connecticut: “Excellent true-to-the-script performance.”

There was a young man in the audience, call him Richard, who recorded the show. You can hear him sobbing at certain parts in the show. The theater invited Arthur Miller (the author) to the show, as he lived nearby in Connecticut. He wrote a letter to us, quote, “Your performance as Linda and Willy Loman was one of the best I have seen. Your characters as the Lomans was exactly the way I pictured them when I wrote the play.” Mr. Miller signed our script covers as well.

Vivian was the consummate performer. She brought out the best in all who worked with her. She never gave a director, tech or fellow actors any problems, never upstaged anyone. Her acting was done in New York, New England, Chicago and Arizona. Vivian was always prepared in knowing her character and lines.

Vivian had a true passion for theater. It wasn’t the pay or her ego that her participation with theater allowed. After doing so many roles and shows, her underlying passion for directing took hold. Some of the shows she directed were “The Sunshine Boys,” “Lovers and Other Strangers,” “The Shadow Box,” “The Odd Couple,” which was reviewed by Rich Dorozenski, the theater critic for the Waterbury American in Connecticut, who said this about her directing: “The show worked perfectly, thanks to some talented directing ... The director should take a bow for the depth with which she let the characters to develop.”

Most of her directing was done in New York, New England and Chicago as well as Arizona on a professional, community and repertory level. She studied theater (all aspects) at Oakland College in Chicago; in addition, she taught theater.

You see, Vivian won’t be doing any theater again due to her having a terminal illness. It’s sad for me, and all she has helped and reached out to in her life, family and friend alike.

As you might guess by now, Vivian is my wife, “The Love of my Life.” One of the most caring and loving persons I have ever known.

She always accompanied me whenever I reviewed a show, as I valued her unbiased opinion. In my heart I know she will still be by my side in spirit.

By the way, Richard is my son, who is a very loving person, and we’re lucky to have him and his wife, Violette with us here in Arizona.

I will end with this “Goodnight my love; God be with you.”

— Jay