Russ Weatherford Memorial

| September 13, 2016

Russ Weatherford
A Life Remembered

Theatre 80 St. Marks, New York City
Monday, September 5, 2016

Photos: Maryann Lopinto

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Russ Weatherford (August 2, 1946-August 10, 2016) was remembered in a lovely early evening tribute at Theatre 80 St. Marks in New York City. His husband, Eric Rudy, invited longtime friends and family members, as well as a few cabaret performers, to speak about Russ and sing for him. In attendance were Russ and Eric’s family members, as well as the many friends and colleagues from Russ’ years as an actor, teacher, writer, producer, director and, for many in the cabaret community, photographer chronicling the cabaret scene.

Joshua Burmand-DeJardins

Joshua Burmand-Dejardins,
Lorcan Otway, Raissa Katona Bennett

eric-rudy-cabaret-scenes-magazine

Eric Rudy

KT Sullivan

KT Sullivan

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C. Benny Bartley

The memorial opened with a welcome from the theater’s managing direcort  Lorcan Otway, followed by a Tibetan Bowl Meditation conducted by Raissa Katona Bennett and Joshua Burmand-Desjardins. Next was a recorded reading of Henry Scott Holland’s “Death Is Nothing at All” by Joe Sirola. KT Sullvian, accompanied by Steve Ross on piano, sang “While We’re Here” (Danny Apolinar & Addy Fieger). Steve returned later in the program to perform “Tuscaloosa’s Calling Me (But I’m Not Going).” (Hank Beebe/Bill Heyer). Russ’ nieces Leigh-Christi Cooke and Jenna Bailey spoke movingly about their uncle, as did friends C. Benny Bartley, who also read a letter from Eugene Willard (a chum from boyhood and beyond), Craig Austin and Jack Chandler. Christopher Toth, Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army Reserve (retired) presented Eric with a Veteran’s flag to acknowledge Russ’ military service while Shana Farr sang “Pie Jesu” (Faure) accompanied by Richard Spendio on harp.

After some final remarks by Eric, Mike Pettry on piano and Spendio on harp accompanied Singers Forum students Felipe Bombonato, Erin Wegner Brooks, Molly Emerson, Riley Krull, Arthur L. Ross, Parker Scott, Marrick Smith, Allison Trujillo, Dathan B. Williams and Melissa Zimmerman performing “In Paradisum” (Faure). Bennett and Burmand-Desjardins returned to close the service with a Tibetan Bowl Meditation.

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Leigh-Christi Cooke

Steve Ross

Steve Ross

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Jenna Bailey

Craig Austin

Craig Austin

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Craig Austin, Eric Rudy, Harrison Coll and Carla Bellisio

Shana Farr

Shana Farr

Christopher Roth & Eric

Lt. Christopher Roth & Eric

Jack Chandler

Jack Chandler

The Choir

The Choir

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