South Valley Civic Theatre - Ruth E . Stein : 50 Years of connecting with audiences
By Elizabeth Mandel
What keeps an actor performing and loving it for over 50 years ? Ruth E . Stein , who first performed in a 1982 Gilroy Community Theatre ( GCT , a precursor to South Valley Civic Theatre ) production of Oklahoma , will tell you it is about connecting with her audiences . “ My arms are open wide to the audience ; I want to take them and hug them .”
Over the years , RuthE has taken on many memorable roles : She played the naïve young nurse Nellie Forbush in 1984 in GCT ’ s South Pacific . Forty years later , she will be playing matriarch Ethel Thayer in SVCT ’ s Limelight production of the beloved American classic , On Golden Pond .
RuthE said Miss Hannigan , the cruel orphanage manager in the musical Annie , with SVCT in 1985 , was one of her favorite parts , because it was her first chance to play a character role ( versus a romantic young lead ). Another particularly meaningful play for her was Quilters with Odyssey Theatre in 2001 ; its patriotic message resonated with her after 9 / 11 .
After playing the lead , Anna , in The King and I , with SVCT in 1995 , RuthE expanded to performing with other theater companies around the South Bay . Among her many credits are Mrs . Lovett in Sweeney Todd , Emma Goldman in Ragtime , Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes , and Mama Rose in Gypsy .
Along the way , RuthE established a second theater role for herself as a props coordinator . Because she wanted her props early so she could practice with them , RuthE started bringing her own to rehearsals . Eventually props became a business for her , and she was the go-to props person for theater productions across the South Bay . At one point she had three sheds full of props in her backyard , including 60 types of telephones !
RuthE reflected that different people in the community only know her from certain phases of her theater career . She has provided props for people who don ’ t know she has ever been on stage , while actors from her early days think of her as an actor who can belt out a song . Meanwhile , she appreciates that “ they can ’ t put me in a box ”, and she loves creating a character . “ Bryan Freeman as a director ( of On Golden Pond ) goes into depth with character development , and that is wonderful because I want to act .” She added , “ This play is so endearing and it is a lot like my life right now . As you age , there are a lot of family dramas and room for thought .”
Kevin Heath , former Limelight owner , added , “ RuthE has always been a dream to direct . She ’ s professional , insightful and brings a keen sense of perspective to each character . Many people know her for her impeccable comedic timing , but it ’ s her ability to craft an honest , thoughtful , dramatic character that truly makes her shine . She ’ ll make you cry just as hard as she ’ ll make you laugh . She ’ s a gift to any production .”
SVCT is thrilled to present Ruth E . Stein in On Golden Pond , opening March 29 at the Morgan Hill Playhouse . Details at https :// www . svct . org / 2024 _ golden
Ruth E . Stein has performed in local theater for over 50 years . Her roles have included Anna in the King and I ( 1995 ), Marian Paroo in The Music Man ( 1986 ), Sister Robert Anne in Cabaret Class ( 2014 ) among many others . She performs the role of Ethel Thayer in the SVCT production of On Golden Pond opening March 29 , 2024 at the Morgan Hill Playhouse .
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