They came from around the corner and as far away as London, Italy and New Zealand to pay tribute to a legend of film and stage and a good friend and neighbor,
Roy Scheider. The afternoon at Bay Street Theatre put together by Roy's wife
Brenda Siemer and their children Christian and Molly was a wonderful celebration of the much loved actor and activist with numerous friends both celebrated and not sharing fond remembrances of how Roy touched their lives. The event not only celebrated his artistic legacy but his activism especially in the founding of The Hayground School, a project close to his heart.
Highlights of the afternoon included a brilliant film clip montage put together by Brenda; A soulful piece Many Worlds performed by composer pianist
Bruce Wolosoff; delightful comments by
Helen Hunt: a musical tribute by Ann Moller;
Mercedes Ruehl on tape reading an excerpt of Walt Whitman's Song of Myself and fond reminiscences by longtime friends playwright Joe Pintauro and Christiane Northrup. In the lobby, there was not only a display of Roy's work but a special tribute to his mentor Harold Clurman.
Among those on hand were Bay Street founder
Sybil Christopher and the theater's new co-artistic director
Murphy Davis;
Ellen Adler ; noted director Gordon Hunt, Joe Pintauro, Donna Karan, artists April Gornik, Eric Fischl, Randal Rosenthal, Margaret Garrett,
David Geiser, Perry Burns, and several hundred more. The moving tributes and film montages were followed by a traditional Ghanaian celebration of life dance with drummers arranged by Christian who also played. The afternoon family tribute was followed by a benefit screening of Roy's film All that Jazz, with proceeds going to The Hayground School of which Roy & Brenda are co- founders.
For more information please visit
www.baystreet.org
Christian Scheider and the troupe of drummers he organized
Arist Margaret Garrett with husband composer Bruce Wolosff
Artisitc Director of Bay Street Theater Sybil Christopher
Artists April Gornik and Eric Fischl
Brenda Siemer Scheider greets Ellen Adler
Donna Karan and friends
Donna Karan and John Wegorzewski
Jake Ruehl, Murphy Davis and David Geiser
Kate Mueth and Josh Gladstone
Lisa Del Favero and Lora Fox Gamble
Noah Salaway, Toni Ross and Sara Salaway
Old pals Helen Hunt and Brenda Siemer Scheider
Oscar winner Helen Hunt with her award winning director father Gordon Hunt
Photo display featuring Scheider's mentor Harold Clurman
Playwright Joe Pintauro and James Henry
Roy Scheider Tribute
Roy Scheider Tribute
Photos from Bay Street Theatre.