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VALENTINE TO MARSHA
Get to know her thru the stories from her friends . . .
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From Peter Pan to Wendy
By Sandy Duncan
I keep a small silver acorn on my desk that Marsha gave to me our first Christmas together in Peter Pan. It is what Peter gives to Wendy as his idea of a " kiss". It is inscribed to me... "to Peter from Wendy Moira Angela Darling, with love and a kiss. 1979."
It has been sitting on that desk for 15 years. Prior to that it was on the desk in another two homes for close to 35 years. I suddenly out of nowhere decided to polish all the tarnished areas and put it in a bag of good luck tokens people have given me throughout the years. I always keep the bag on the dressing room table wherever I am working. Marsha's acorn has never been in the bag because I feared losing it.i decided to include it with the other bits and pieces.
That was two days before Marsha passed on.
I know she was blowing a kiss to me before she departed. I feel it. I know it. Sweet Marsha.
Oddly enough, I will be doing a play in Chicago in three weeks. Marsha has been at rest there since Friday January 31st. She is beside her mother and father. I will be able to place some flowers there, talk to her, and say goodbye for now.
She will always travel with me in spirit from now on to whatever dressing room I might occupy. And we all know Marsha loved a theater and a show.
She was the heart and soul at the center of Peter Pan. Peter says,"I'm not crying. I never cry. "
Oh, yes he does. Love, Sandy
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"Remembering Marsha's kindness, dear sweet hugs, and adorable expression. We all miss you."
Michele Mason
"After hearing from Patricia about the connection plans with the funeral time, I was able to pause and think of her and smile for 5 minutes during a rehearsal of one of the songs in my show - "Time Is Never On Our Side". I shared what I was doing with the other women in the cast, and they all hugged with me, here in NYC, at 1:30PM."
"My claim to fame with regards to Marsha is that I was the one that opened the door at the Rehearsal Club for her. A few of us were in the TV room waiting for a delivery from Joy Deli. The door bell rang and I volunteered to get the stash and instead found Marsha. Little did I know how enduring that relationship would be. Rest In Peace my friend❤️"
Kathie Kellogg
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By John Rubinstein
UCLA Brunch Bunch
The recent news of Marsha Kramer's death was shocking to those of us who knew her. She had been fighting her cancer for seven long years, and doing so with her customary determination and cheer, but it seemed unimaginable that she would ever have to throw in the towel. It was not in her nature. Her life had been marked with a fighting spirit, in spite of her gamine stature, her all-encompassing smile, and her natural instinct to share love and warmth.
Once, when we were in our early twenties, in a fit of enthusiasm over something or other, I lifted Marsha up, much as one would a dancing partner. She reacted with panic, burst into tears and begged/ordered me to put her down immediately! I apologized profusely, and she explained that she couldn't stand to be up off the ground, even by a few inches. Her fear of heights was unmanageable for her, and I had never known about it. That said, eleven years later, she was soaring 40 feet above the stage of the Lunt-Fontanne on Broadway, and later over stages all around the country, laughing and singing as Wendy in "Peter Pan." And when I walked into the wings of the Mark Hellinger, clutching my newly-won Tony, the first person to greet me was Marsha in her Wendy costume, having just minutes before flown through the air with Sandy Duncan in their spot on the awards show. I hugged her, feeling the solid backing of the flying harness that she was still wearing with utter nonchalance . . . but even then, I resisted the temptation to lift her up, not even an inch!
Few people could have had the strength to overcome a phobia as deep as hers. And her gutsy fighting spirit was also on display one day when, in her car on Wilshire Boulevard, stopped in the right lane at a red light, she noticed a man in a car on her right, in the parking lane, gunning his motor and preparing to shoot past and veer in front of her in the intersection when the light changed. When it turned green, she took off, and the man sped up next to her, fully intending to pass her. But she didn't slow down, just kept going straight (as was her legal right); the crazed guy hadn't considered that this tiny woman would give him such a hard time, and when he finally put two and two together and saw he wasn't going to overtake her, it was too late. He slammed into the parked car on the other side of the intersection, and Marsha continued on her way. (He was not injured, but his car was!)
Her determination, and her sense of duty and responsibility, were also reflected in her approach to the "loop group" with whom she recorded background voices for countless movies and television shows over the years. She did copious research before each job, first in libraries, and later online; and once called me before going in for "A League of Their Own," because she knew I was a baseball fan. She was going to have to record random dialogue in the background of numerous dugout and locker-room scenes as part of the female team, and also as one of the audience in the stands, and she asked me to write her a list of baseball-type things to chat and cheer about in the lingo of ballplayers and their fans.
It's hard to calculate how she had the time to do all that preparation for looping while simultaneously appearing on stage and on television, and at the same time working for decades in her father's tobacco store in Beverly Hills; first with her mother after her dad died, and then owning and running it with Jim Keller, her husband of 34 years, after her mom passed away.
It is equally hard to accept that she is, in fact, gone. She was a force of goodness and light, generosity and caring for others (except for that one guy in the car), and all of us who knew her or worked with her have been moved by her sweetness, and forever blessed with the memory of her irresistible and loving presence in our lives.
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by Annie O'Donnell
In the summer of 1976, my brother John temporarily traded his home and car in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with a former Lancaster resident who had moved to Dublin, Ireland. Our whole family: my Mom ( an Irish immigrant ) and Dad, and my brother and his family, and I all went on a great adventure!
At one point, my brother and sister-in-law, Cande, and I took the ferry and train from Ireland to London. They left after a few days, and I spent the rest of the time with Marsha, who was there studying at RADA/ The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. What a time we had!
Before my family left London, Marsha arranged tickets for us for an authentic English Music Hall Show, reminiscent of the Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica, California, where she performed, and met her wonderful husband, Jim Keller.
She got me a room in her student housing in Bloomsbury, where we shared the two connected buildings (a bit like the Rehearsal Club), that had only one full bathroom between them, with a troop of Boy Scouts!!
I sat in on her classes at RADA, and joined them on a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, where we saw Judy Dench in a wonderful "Much Ado About Nothing", a nap-inducing "Troilus and Cressida", and a memorable tour of Shakespeare's home!
We visited Harrod's Department Store, and had an unforgettable High Tea at the Dorchester, off Hyde Park.
It was a most joyful time! Thank you, Marsha! You are much loved and missed!
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by Janis Uhley
Lucky me - I've known Marsha since I was a teen. I majored in drama at Beverly Hills High School (with the dynamic John Ingle as head of the Drama Department), and he hired Marsha as our TA. What a team! We were privileged to have two professional actors as teachers and encouraged by her mentorship, support, and perpetual ebullience. Was there ever a time Marsha didn't greet you with her warm, loving smile and special sparkle in her eyes? The students loved Marsha.
Following high school, I was fortunate to remain in touch with her, which I cherished. Her parent's business (the famed "Kramer's Pipe & Tobacco Shop") was located in the heart of Beverly Hills; whenever possible, I'd stop by to see if she was helping in the store that day... or we'd catch up via phone. Courtesy of the very small world of theater, our paths continued to cross. My first professional job was in the celebrated Victorian-era-style variety show at Santa Monica's Mayfair Music Hall where Marsha had worked (I'm certain I invoked her name as a reference at the audition and callback!). I ushered at the Ivar Theater in Hollywood when she co-starred in Victory Canteen opposite Patty Andrews, and was in the audience to be awed by her talents at Los Angeles engagements like The Great American Backstage Musical and to witness her renowned Wendy in Peter Pan at the Pantages (it was a joy to visit her backstage every time). And I was always delighted when we'd end up at the same auditions and participate in events like John Ingle's 2009 plaque dedication from the Walk of Hearts Foundation honoring his distinguished teaching career.
Perhaps most fatefully those many years ago when I decided to move to New York, it was Marsha who recommended The Rehearsal Club and provided the important alumna referral which enabled me to obtain housing. I shall forever be in her debt. During that time, I made great RC friends and acquaintances with whom I'm still in contact. Oh, the adventures we had plus the shared camaraderie in pursuit of the arts at that unique, historic residence! All due to Marsha's gracious offer of assistance.
The circle of life. I've been disappointed that the demands of my company (I'm also a script editor) caused me to miss recent L.A. RC get-togethers, though viewing the photos circulated online refreshed my connection with Marsha and the wonderful RC ladies.
Like everyone else, I was heartbroken to hear of Marsha's illness and passing. Her abundant talents, generosity, love, friendship, passion for animal rights, and so much more live in our hearts and souls. Blessings to Jim.
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Patricia Hill
with Marsha & her husband, Jim
"One of my first NYC, RC roommates, developed into a friendship that lasted over decades, Marsha's death crushes my heart with loss and I can't stop tearing up. So glad to have known you Marsha."
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by Christopher Callen
Hello,
I think all of us who knew Marsha, through the years -will attest -she was one of the kindest, caring persons around. One particular instance stands out to me.
She and I were part of 7 people who originally "founded " the Musical Theatre Guild here in Los Angles years and years and years ago. Every group has its growing pains but there occurred -about 4 -5 years in -quite a political "upheaval". I resoundingly did not like what was occurring and I saw no end to it. So, I rendered my resignation to the group, as did a few others.
After I left -the growing pains continued and then the persons at the heart of controversy were eventually forced out. One day , out of the blue, I got a lovely call from Marsha ?!. She explained what had gone on and caught me up to date, mentioning how things had changed and she was calling with the hopes that I might consider rejoining. "No, I don't think so , Marsha -one burnt twice shy -you know," I said. But she wouldn't give up. Marsha insisted that I should come to a meeting and see for myself . So reluctantly, I did so . She greeted me effusively and introduced me around to the new members and ---well - she was right. It was once again a group of very talented and lovely artists. Things had changed. I then rejoined and was part of it up until a few years ago when Acting work, writing and teaching started taking me in some new directions .
But, I will never forget her kindness, care and sweetness. I knew she really cared about me. And I think that was a beautiful quality she exhibited to everyone. She was genuine . Authentic. And truly cared about others . Thank you Marsha, for all the many kindnesses you showed to me over the years and ---Wishing you the best -in your next adventure!
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WIth love and admiration to Marsha and all RC Sisters.
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Marsha stands about the same height as my very best friend, Carolyn Tune, from high school in El Paso, TX. We were like Mutt & Jeff all thru school, always seen together at all the events and in later life, at all the reunions. We remain friends to this day -- one of the few I still call "friend" from my world BNY (before moving to NYC). Marsha Kramer came into the Rehearsal Club in 1972, long after I was long gone, however, when we did meet in 2012, I couldn't help but feel I'd known her all my life.
Our NYC RC women came together in 2006 and were planning an extravagant "reunion" for our Centennial in 2013. When I flew out to visit my college chum, Patricia Hill, Marsha hosted a luncheon for as many of our RC women in LA who wanted to show up.
That afternoon, I met many of the women who would help our NYC alums keep the heart and soul of our continuing legacy known as The Rehearsal Club beating across the country.
Marsha was the glue. Marsha was the heart. Marsha was our soul. Her loss has cut into the fabric of our delicate tapestry and I continue to pray for where our organization will go as it continues to grow as an official government entity. Change is healthy. Change means growth. Losing Marsha will forever feel like we lost a bit of mother earth.
Denise Pence
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