Arts icon Ken Beachler died at home of cardiac complications on June 6 at the age of 87. Well known as the founding Executive Director of MSU’s Wharton Center, he was also active in area theatre, and a longtime supporter of Community Circle Players both at the Okemos Barn and at Riverwalk.
Beginning in 1971 at the Barn, he directed Riverwind, Godspell, Follies, Loot, Dylan, Boys in the Band, then at Riverwalk beginning in 1994, Just the Two of Us, Little Mary Sunshine, La Cage Aux Folles, Later Life, Conditional Love, Master Class, Equus, Lonely Planet, Dracula, Prelude to a Kiss, Far East, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom (RWT at Creole/black box), The Ritz, Miss Evers Boys, Fortinbras and Follies.
Ken was also an actor (search his name on Matt Ottinger’s Database www.lansingtheatre,.org) most recently performing on our stage as Mr. Dussel in The Diary of Anne Frank. His mellifluous voice was legendary and impressive as the Voice of God in Spamalot (also as the climactic recorded Voice of Lord Rancour in Starlight Dinner Theatre’s Something’s Afoot.)His final role was the irascible Henry Wendell in The Vote special-event at Riverwalk in 2020.
I have very fond memories of the five Beachler-directed shows in which I appeared — and in my years of program editing, I note that Ken was always the first to donate to Riverwalk in memory of anyone he knew who died. So I’m writing a check to RWT in Ken’s memory http://riverwalktheatre.com— though his family reports that memorial contributions can also be made to the Kenneth C. Beachler Arts Management Internship Fund, Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824. Ken established this internship fund for arts management students.
Public Celebration of Life visitations and services will be held at The Peoples Church, 200 West Grand River Ave, East Lansing. Visitations on Friday, June 23, 5:30 - 7:30 pm and Saturday, June 24, 10 - 11 am. The Celebration of Life service at The Peoples Church will be held June 24 at 11 am with a luncheon following at the University Club of Michigan State University.
Here’s a link to the full obituary and memorial service info. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/east-lansing-mi/capt-kenneth-beachler-11325502
Beginning in 1971 at the Barn, he directed Riverwind, Godspell, Follies, Loot, Dylan, Boys in the Band, then at Riverwalk beginning in 1994, Just the Two of Us, Little Mary Sunshine, La Cage Aux Folles, Later Life, Conditional Love, Master Class, Equus, Lonely Planet, Dracula, Prelude to a Kiss, Far East, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom (RWT at Creole/black box), The Ritz, Miss Evers Boys, Fortinbras and Follies.
Ken was also an actor (search his name on Matt Ottinger’s Database www.lansingtheatre,.org) most recently performing on our stage as Mr. Dussel in The Diary of Anne Frank. His mellifluous voice was legendary and impressive as the Voice of God in Spamalot (also as the climactic recorded Voice of Lord Rancour in Starlight Dinner Theatre’s Something’s Afoot.)His final role was the irascible Henry Wendell in The Vote special-event at Riverwalk in 2020.
I have very fond memories of the five Beachler-directed shows in which I appeared — and in my years of program editing, I note that Ken was always the first to donate to Riverwalk in memory of anyone he knew who died. So I’m writing a check to RWT in Ken’s memory http://riverwalktheatre.com— though his family reports that memorial contributions can also be made to the Kenneth C. Beachler Arts Management Internship Fund, Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824. Ken established this internship fund for arts management students.
Public Celebration of Life visitations and services will be held at The Peoples Church, 200 West Grand River Ave, East Lansing. Visitations on Friday, June 23, 5:30 - 7:30 pm and Saturday, June 24, 10 - 11 am. The Celebration of Life service at The Peoples Church will be held June 24 at 11 am with a luncheon following at the University Club of Michigan State University.
Here’s a link to the full obituary and memorial service info. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/east-lansing-mi/capt-kenneth-beachler-11325502
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