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Barbara Bryne

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BIO

Bryne came to Canada in the early 1960s and was a frequent performer at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (Stratford, Ontario) since 1966 and at the Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis, Minnesota) for 50 years. In 1982, she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Drama for her role as "Kath" in the first American production of Joe Orton's Entertaining Mr. Sloane (which starred Maxwell Caulfield in the title role).



Bryne was in the original Broadway productions of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George (as George's mother) and Into The Woods (as Jack's mother). She also performed in Sondheim's A Little Night Music in Washington, D.C. She was also a frequent performer at Minneapolis' Guthrie Theater. Among the plays in which she appeared there were Mother Courage, The Glass Menagerie, She Stoops to Conquer, Design for Living, and Pygmalion.

On television she played "Mrs. Gaffney" on the Tony Randall series, Love, Sidney (1981–1983). In 2011 she appeared as Queen Victoria in H.M.S. Pinafore, which was filmed for PBS in late August 2011. Among the films in which she has appeared are: Romeo & Juliet (1993 TV film), Into the Woods (1991 TV film), Two Evil Eyes (1990; "The Black Cat" segment), Sunday in the Park with George (1986 TV film), Amadeus (1984), The Bostonians (1984), and The School for Scandal (1975 TV film).

Bryne died on 2 May 2023, in Minneapolis, at the age of 94.

STAGE CREDITS

[Regional (US)]
Sondheim Festival Production, 2002
Madame Armfeldt

[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 1997
Jack's Mother

[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 1994
Blair Daniels

Old Lady

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Jack's Mother

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
Old Globe Production (Pre-Broadway), 1986
Jack's Mother

[Broadway]
1985
Clara

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1984
Blair Daniels

Old Lady


Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Barbara Bryne, Entertaining Mr. Sloane

Videos

News


The Guthrie's BEHOLD Gala Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Community, Performances

On Saturday night, BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, took place on the theater's Wurtele Thrust Stage before a packed house. The performance featured a glittering array of contributors including actors and artists linked to all aspects of the Guthrie's past and its vision for the future. BEHOLD, the centerpiece of a weekend that captivated the Twin Cities and marked the long and vital relationship between the Guthrie and the community that it calls home, marked the half-century milestone for the flagship of the American regional theater movement that first opened its doors in 1963.
Jason Robert Brown, Brian d'Arcy James, Whoopi Goldberg and More Set for Guthrie Theater's 50th Anniversary Gala Tonight

The Guthrie welcomes 17 accomplished local actors and vocalists who have all appeared on the Guthrie's stages during their careers to complete the artist line-up as the vocal ensemble for BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, tonight, June 22, 2013. Accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra helmed by Musical Director Andrew Cooke, the ensemble will perform songs from some of the greatest musicals of all time, in unexpected ways.
Guthrie Theater Announces 50th Anniversary Gala Vocal Ensemble

The Guthrie today announced that 17 accomplished local actors and vocalists who have all appeared on the Guthrie's stages during their careers will complete the artist line-up as the vocal ensemble for BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra helmed by Musical Director Andrew Cooke, the ensemble will perform songs from some of the greatest musicals of all time, in unexpected ways.
Brian d'Arcy James Joins The Guthrie's 50th Anniversary Gala

The Guthrie today announced that two-time Tony Award nominee and Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Brian d'Arcy James joins the artist line-up for BEHOLD: A Gala Performance, honoring 50 years of the Guthrie, onSaturday, June 22, 2013. James is slated to sing an original song based on excerpts of text from Hamlet, as previously announced, which is being composed by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown specifically for the celebratory evening.
Christopher Plummer, Barbara Byrne and More Join Guthrie's 50th Anniversary Gala, 6/22

The Guthrie today announced that eight artists who have graced the Guthrie's stages during its 50-year history, from the first season in 1963 to the theater's current season, are slated to participate in the Guthrie's 50th anniversary on June 22, 2013. Exclusive interviews with the legendary Zoe Caldwell and Christopher Plummer will be unveiled as part of a poignant and celebratory multi-media tribute, while stage veterans Barbara Bryne, Peter Michael Goetz and Stephen Yoakam; two graduates of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program, Matthew Amendt and Valeri Mudek; and an alum of A Guthrie Experience for Actors in Training, Erik Heger; will perform live for the one-night-only event.
Harry Groener, Sally Wingert and More Set for CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON CELEBRATION at Guthrie Theatre, 9/15-10/27

The Guthrie Theater today announced the full casts, comprising 39 actors, for the three plays of the Christopher Hampton Celebration. The previously announced celebration of the multi-faceted writer's work will occupy all three of the Guthrie's stages in an immersive and illuminating theatrical experience, with diverse casts tackling dynamic roles torn from the pages of world history.
Harriet Harris, Simon Jones Lead Guthrie Theater's HAY FEVER, Opens 3/10

The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for its first-ever production of Hay Fever, Noel Coward's sensational and highly entertaining comedy of manners, playing March 10 - April 22, 2012, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Guthrie Theater's HAY FEVER

Television, film and stage actress Harriet Harris (Television: 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Frasier;' Film: Nurse Betty, Memento; Guthrie: The Glass Menagerie, A Midsummer Night's Dream; Broadway: Thoroughly Modern Millie) and stage and film actor Simon Jones (Television: 'Brideshead Revisited;' Broadway: Blithe Spirit; Guthrie: Shadowlands, The Home Place) will lead the cast as Judith and David Bliss-the matriarch and patriarch of the peculiar Bliss family. Rounding out the family are John Skelley as Simon (Guthrie: Charley's Aunt) and Cat Walleck in her Guthrie debut as Sorel. Check out the cast photos below!
Harriet Harris, Simon Jones Lead Guthrie Theater's HAY FEVER, Opens 3/10

The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for its first-ever production of Hay Fever, Noel Coward's sensational and highly entertaining comedy of manners, playing March 10 - April 22, 2012, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.
The Guthrie's H.M.S. PINAFORE Kicks Off PBS Arts Fall Festival, 10/14

The Guthrie Theater's acclaimed production of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore will open the nine-part PBS Arts Fall Festival of performing arts programming on Friday, October 14 at 8:00 p.m. CST on PBS.
'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for October 12th, 2011

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 2011 BWW Chicago Awards, new facilities for Black Ensemble Theater, Stage 773 and Light Opera Works, plus an overview of year-end Loop musical productions and more...
The Guthrie Theater Featured in 10/7 New York Times

The Guthrie Theater was featured in The New York Times on Friday in conjunction with the appearance of its acclaimed production of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore on the PBS Arts Fall Festival.
The Guthrie's H.M.S. PINAFORE Kicks Off PBS Arts Fall Festival, 10/14

The Guthrie Theater's acclaimed production of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore will open the nine-part PBS Arts Fall Festival of performing arts programming on Friday, October 14 at 8:00 p.m. CST on PBS.
Guthrie's H.M.S. PINAFORE Featured on Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Edition

The Guthrie Theater's splash-hit production of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore boasts new musical arrangements by Andrew Cooke that borrow inspiration from disco, jazz and rock opera, which he argues help modern audiences appreciate the humor in the libretto. Captained by Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling, and featuring 'sumptuous costumes' by Fabio Toblini and 'arresting choreography' by David Bolger, the Guthrie's production of H.M.S. Pinafore has entertained audiences and critics alike with its 'continuous parade of stunning song-and-dance sequences.' The creative team also includes Frank Hallinan Flood (Set Designer), Malcolm Rippeth (Lighting Designer) and Scott W. Edwards (Sound Designer).
H.M.S. PINAFORE to Close 8/28 at the Guthrie Theatre

The Guthrie Theater will say bon voyage to its splash-hit summer musical comedy H.M.S. Pinafore on Sunday, August 28, following a heralded 10-week run on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Captained by Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling, and featuring 'sumptuous costumes' by Fabio Toblini and 'arresting choreography' by David Bolger, the production has entertained audiences and critics alike with its 'continuous parade of stunning song-and-dance sequences.'
Photo Flash: Guthrie Theater Stages H.M.S. PINAFORE!

The Guthrie Theater's splash-hit production of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore boasts critically acclaimed choreography and musical staging by David Bolger, whose fancy footwork has been heralded by critics as 'arresting,' 'breathtaking,' and 'awesome.'
Photo Flash: Guthrie Theatre's H.M.S PINAFORE

The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, which drops anchor on the Wurtele Thrust Stage June 18 - August 28, 2011. Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling helms this splash hit musical which, as previously announced, will feature Twin Cities actor/singers Robert O. Berdahl and Christina Baldwin as Captain Corcoran and Little Buttercup, respectively. Joining the pair will be Constantine Germanacos (Ralph Rackstraw), Seri Johnson (Cousin Hebe), Heather Lindell (Josephine), Jason Simon (Dick Deadeye) and J. Tyler Whitmer (Bob Becket) - all five making their Guthrie debuts - in addition to Robb McKindles (Bill Bobstay) and Peter Thomson (Sir Joseph Porter).
Guthrie Theater Announces Full Cast for H.M.S. PINAFORE, Opening 6/24

The Guthrie Theater today announced complete casting for Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, which drops anchor on the Wurtele Thrust Stage June 18 - August 28, 2011.
SOUND OFF: Sondheim Palooza Part 4

Today we are taking a listen to Stephen Sondheim's musicals of the 1980s, each a striking artistic achievement attempting to do something never done before in Broadway history and improving the very genre of musical theatre itself with his work on these three very different shows. MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and INTO THE WOODS...

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Barbara Bryne been in?

Barbara Bryne has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Barbara Bryne been in?

Barbara Bryne has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Barbara Bryne been nominated for?

Barbara Bryne has been nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for her performance in Entertaining Mr. Sloane.

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