Passing and Remembrance: Kathryn Grayson

Feb. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Kathryn Grayson (pictured on left) stage & screen icon who starred in "Kiss Me Kate", and "Show Boat" on the big screen and in recordings, passed away last night.  Her granddaughter is Kristin Towers-Rowles (pictured on the right), one of the cast-members of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change", and playing through February 27th at Warner Grand Theatre.

The Relevant Stage will include a tribute to Ms. Grayson as an insert to remaining programs for the run of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," and the remaining performances are dedicated to her memory.

The Relevant Stage, San Pedro's Musical Theatre Company - will also be producing "Kiss Me Kate" as part of its 2011 season in Ms. Grayson's memory, starring her granddaughter, Kristin Towers-Rowles in the role made famous by her late grandmother.
About Kathryn Grayson

Kathryn Grayson was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on February 9, 1922. Her childhood was spent in St. Louis where she studied voice before training with Frances Marshall of the Chicago Civic Opera and later was signed by RCA Red Seal records at the age of 15.

Her opera career was nipped in the bud when she was seen and heard by Louis B. Mayer and was signed by MGM to a contract without even the formality of a screen test. Contrary to popular belief, Miss Grayson never appeared on Eddie Cantor's radio show. Her unusual combination of looks, singing voice and acting talent brought her official stardom in 1943. A major star at MGM Miss Grayson also made films at Warner Brothers and Paramount Studios.

Dramatic roles on television came including "Playhouse 90" and "General Electric Theater." Miss Grayson was nominated for an Emmy Award for best actress for GE Theater's "Shadow on the Heart." She made her opera debut in 1960 performing "Madame Butterfly," "La Traviata" and "La Boheme" and in 1983 starred in "Orpheus in the Underworld" for Opera New England.

Miss Grayson scored triumphs in such stage musicals as "The Merry Widow" for which she was nominated for the Sarah Siddons Award. She has toured in "Naughty Marietta," "Rosalinda," "Show Boat," "Kiss Me Kate" and "Camelot" and in 1983 a departure as Miss Tweed in "Something's Afoot."

In 1982 Miss Grayson received rave reviews for her first all dramatic stage performance in Lucille Fletcher's "Night Watch." In 1987, again in a departure, she starred in the much-acclaimed British farce "Noises Off."

From 1988 through 1997 Miss Grayson toured in her one woman show, "An Evening With Kathryn Grayson."

In 1996 and 1997 Miss Grayson appeared with Van Johnson in "Love Letters" with great success. This prompted them to tour in their own production "Red Sox and Roses."

Miss Grayson gave Master Classes and was privately teaching voice until her passing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqpLIcVL0YM&NR=1



The Relevant Stage

The Relevant Stage is a non-profit performing arts company in San Pedro (The Port Town of Los Angeles) California.  It is entering its 3rd year with a slate of productions in 2010 that include I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The One & Only, Teen Anthology: The Musical, Forever Plaid, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and The Christmas Carol. Performances are at Warner Grand Theatre, 478 West 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731.

Tickets may be purchased by phone at 1-800-838-3006

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The Relevant Stage Theatre Company performs in residence at The Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, CA. TRS' mission is to challenge hearts, engage minds and expose truths. TRS tells relevant stories about the contemporary world we share.