I’m writing a check to Riverwalk in memory of our recently-departed theatre mainstay, Mary K. Hodges-Nees. She worked mostly with Riverwalk (along with her super set-creator husband, Bob Nees) but also Lansing Civic Players, back in the day— and Starlight Dinner Theatre.
I remember stifling giggles with her in the no-exit-but-onto-the-stage “upstairs” backstage cubbyhole during Opal’s Baby at Starlight. I also cherish her hilarious, Barney-Thespie-Pulsar winning performance as “Reptile Woman” in Riverwalk’s Sugar Bean Sisters. (Kudos to director Tom Ferris for helping her "bring on the crazy" in that role.) But mostly she was backstage working her magic. A favorite memory was watching her in the Riverwalk green room literally paint a cat’s body onto the leotard being worn by our 1996 Puss in Boots, Donna Green.
Despite her health issues and being scooter-dependent in her later years, Mary K. was a talented trooper and always participating as she could. Notably, she was director of the Ill-fated “Hotel on Marvin Gardens” that was closed by Covid in March 2020 after only one performance. Mary K. is one of the special “10-20-30” frequent contributors noted on Matt Ottinger’s wonderful database. Check it out http://lansingtheatre.org/Lansing/MaryKHodges-Nees
Riverwalk Theatre will continue to display Mary K’s beautiful floral arrangements in the Riverwalk lobby as a visual reminder of her lasting impact. If you want to join me in donating to Riverwalk in memory of Mary K. you can mail a check to Riverwalk with "I.M.O. Mary K. Hodges-Nees" on the memo line, to PO Box 12249 Lansing 48901 - or leave a check at the box office when you come see Pickleball?
Mary K’s memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 2 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1315 Abbot Rd
East Lansing, MI 48823 with a light dessert reception afterward.
I remember stifling giggles with her in the no-exit-but-onto-the-stage “upstairs” backstage cubbyhole during Opal’s Baby at Starlight. I also cherish her hilarious, Barney-Thespie-Pulsar winning performance as “Reptile Woman” in Riverwalk’s Sugar Bean Sisters. (Kudos to director Tom Ferris for helping her "bring on the crazy" in that role.) But mostly she was backstage working her magic. A favorite memory was watching her in the Riverwalk green room literally paint a cat’s body onto the leotard being worn by our 1996 Puss in Boots, Donna Green.
Despite her health issues and being scooter-dependent in her later years, Mary K. was a talented trooper and always participating as she could. Notably, she was director of the Ill-fated “Hotel on Marvin Gardens” that was closed by Covid in March 2020 after only one performance. Mary K. is one of the special “10-20-30” frequent contributors noted on Matt Ottinger’s wonderful database. Check it out http://lansingtheatre.org/Lansing/MaryKHodges-Nees
Riverwalk Theatre will continue to display Mary K’s beautiful floral arrangements in the Riverwalk lobby as a visual reminder of her lasting impact. If you want to join me in donating to Riverwalk in memory of Mary K. you can mail a check to Riverwalk with "I.M.O. Mary K. Hodges-Nees" on the memo line, to PO Box 12249 Lansing 48901 - or leave a check at the box office when you come see Pickleball?
Mary K’s memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 2 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1315 Abbot Rd
East Lansing, MI 48823 with a light dessert reception afterward.
RSS Feed
