DAN'S PAPERS, May 2, 2008 Page 57 www.danshamptons.com
Roy Scheider Tribute at Bay Street Theatre By Debbie Tuma During his many years in the Hamptons, actor Roy Scheider appeared several times on the stage of Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. Now, following his death on February 10, 2008, his family has decided to honor him at this famous local venue, to pay tribute to his many film and stage accomplishments. Scheider was a visible presence in the Hamptons. He played softball for the annual Artists Writers Baseball Game, helped to found the Hayground School in Bridgehampton where his children enrolled, and championed environmental benefits for the Group for the South Fork, and in later life, helped raise awareness about cancer, which took his life at 75. He died of multiple myeloma, one day before his 19th wedding anniversary to his wife, Brenda Siemer. May 8, 9 and 10 will be “Roy Scheider Weekend” at Bay Street Theatre, showing some of his most famous acting roles in popular movies. On May 8, the film, 2010 will be shown at 7 p.m., and Marathon Man will be shown at 9:15 p.m. On May 9, his legendary role in Jaws will be seen at 7 p.m., and The French Connection will be screened at 9:15 p.m. All films are open to the public, and ticket prices are $5 per movie. Gary Hygom, Producer at Bay Street Theatre, said when he heard of Scheider’s death, he wanted to do something and called his widow, Brenda Siemer. “Roy has been involved in readings here, including one with Danny Glover, about their mentors, called “Who’s Going to Be Here?” said Hygom. “Brenda and Kathy Engel made this into a documentary film, which we also wanted to show during his tribute weekend.” Hygom said he met Scheider several times and did a set design for a play he starred in at Bay Street called, Trumbo, a serious comedy based on the letters of the legendary screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, played by Scheider. Andrew McCarthy played the narrator in this revival of a 2003 OffBroadway hit. “Roy was a phenomenal talent, and he was so involved with young actors, helping them to perfect their talent,” said Hygom. “It is always sad when we lose such a valued, integral person of the East End.” On Saturday, May 10, Brenda Siemer will be having a private memorial service, by invitation
A scene from The French Connection
Roy in his legendary role as Chief Martin Brody only, for her late husband at Bay Street Theatre from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a fundraiser, open to the public, for the Hayground School in Bridgehampton, which she and her husband helped to found in 1996. Their son Christian graduated from this school, and later graduated from the Ross School, and is starting Bard College this fall to major in philosophy. Their daughter, Molly, will be starting 8th grade at Hayground School in the fall. Scheider also had a daughter, Maxmillia Connelly, by a previous marriage, who died in 2006 from leukemia, at 44 years old. The fundraiser for this progressive school will include two more movies starring Roy Scheider – Who’s Going to Be There? at 8 p.m., which Siemer will introduce, and All That Jazz, one of Scheider’s most critically acclaimed performances, at 9 p.m. Tickets to this fundraiser are $50 for adults and $10 for children 16 or younger.
Siemer said that at the memorial service she plans to show a video segment about her husband’s career and life in the arts, which she put together with Joan Sobel. It will be followed by having friends talk about their remembrances of Scheider. There will also be some poetry read, and some a cappella singing by Scheider’s two goddaughters, Ann and Kate Moller, of New York City. “Our son Christian will also perform some African drumming at the end of the service,” Siemer said. “He’s a music composer as well.” Siemer added that, “It’s ironic that we are doing this memorial service and Hayground fundraiser on May 10, because on May 10, 1997, Roy and I attended one of the first fundraisers for Hayground School, at the home of Chevy and Jane Chase, with Toni Ross and Jeff Salloway. We were so excited about this school back then, and it’s been such a big part of our lives ever since.”