Mon 4/25
A massive turnout filled PlayhouseSquare’s State Theatre on Mon 4/25 to pay tribute to David O. Frazier, actor, singer, storyteller, rascal, but, most importantly, a kind and wonderful person and friend.
Luminaries who spoke in a creative and fun-filled remembrance ceremony included Gina Vernaci (speaking for PlayhouseSquare), Carol Frankel, Kevin Moore (Cleveland Play House spokesperson), Loree Vick, Dennis Kucinich (who read a proclamation passed by the U.S. House of Representative in David’s honor), Cliff Bemis and Terry Piteo (fellow cast members from the musical Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well, which is credited with having saved the PlayhouseSquare theaters from destruction), Oliver Henkel, Lainie Hadden and David’s husband Joe Garry.
Musical entertainment was provided by Marge Adler, David Gooding, Gusti and Kyle Corrigan.
David, who lived life to the fullest, died with great dignity after a long battle with illness. When David was released from the Cleveland Clinic, a short time ago, the doctors, nurses and staff lined up in the hallway and gave him a standing ovation as he exited in a wheelchair. Only he would have thought to say, “I have had many standing ovations, but never a sitting ovation!”
When David performed Irish Rascal at the National Theatre of Scotland, a critic wrote, “His towering performance grabbed the audience by the throat.” As his husband, Joe said, in the printed program from the service, “He grabbed my heart in the same way. He was the We of Me.”
Those of us who not only admired David as the ultimate entertainer, but considered him to be a very special friend, can only add, “Thank you for being the you of you.”
Donations can be made in David’s name to Cleveland Play House, attn Lis Horrigan, 1407 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115 or Playhouse Square, attn Michelle Stewart, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.
[Written by Roy Berko]Cleveland, OH 44115