We’ve learned that Reuben Silver, who arrived in Cleveland in 1955 with his wife Dorothy and as a couple made a huge impact on the local theater scene, died yesterday after a long illness. He was 88.
The couple did stints running the theaters at Karamu House and the Mandel Jewish Community Center and racked up a long resume of acting roles, both together and separately. Every local theatergoer probably has their own favorite role or roles they performed. Listing their accomplishments would take pages. Among other things, they won the Cleveland Arts Prize in 1984.
Although Reuben’s illness removed him from local theaters several years ago, his wife, who is 84, is still very active. In January, she played what she described as a “small but juicy role” in the Cleveland Play House’s production of Yentl. In April, she starred in a production of ’Night Mother at the Beck Center.
Undoubtedly there will be memorials and tributes to this giant of Cleveland theater. We’ll keep you posted.