STAGE TUBE: Shirley Jones et al. Pay Tribute to Impresario Jon Finch

Few members of the American theatrical community have worn more hats, or seen more 'acts' in their careers than Jon Finch. The Bartlesville Oklahoma native was recently honored in Edmund Oklahoma with a gala extravaganza, paying tribute to the esteemed 'Presenter For The Arts,' & one time Ringling Brothers circus clown for a job well done.

Rounding out his tenure at The University Of Central Oklahoma for the last fifteen years, Jon Finch has quite literally done it all. As a mere child of six he was introduced to, and put to work as an assistant for the legendary
magician Harry Blackstone. Before deciding he didn't necessarily enjoy being dropped through cavernous trap doors to nowhere, Finch learned how to smile for an audience, and sure enough his first 'Greasepaint Transfusion' had successfully taken.

Jon's love for the theatre never faltered, and found him stage managing some of Broadway's biggest shows, as well as developing deep & lasting friendships with the likes of Shirley Jones, who he stage managed on Broadway in 'Maggie Flynn.' Jon also stage managed 'The Happy Time' with notorious maverick-producer David Merrick.

Michael Lee Stever (who starred opposite Betty Garrett & Carole Cook in Jon's UCO production of 'Arsenic And Old Lace' ) recently sat down with Shirley Jones, as well as film/TV star Betsy Palmer, and Les Miserables staple J. Mark McVey, to discuss this fascinating and eternally energetic impresario.

See below video clip to learn more, and view some highlights from Jon's prolific career.