Inductees in Theater

Ruth Buzzi
Inducted in 1971

Ms. Buzzi was a Westerly native who gained national recognition for her performances on the Broadway stage, and on television in character roles. Although many say she was best known for her work as a comedienne. Read more >
George M. Cohan (1878-1942)
Inducted in 1965

Mr. Cohan was born in Providence on July 3, 1878. Cohan became the most successful theatrical producer of the early 20th century, as well as a notable actor and playwright. Cohan was also one of the best known songwriters of his time, penning such classics as Mary, You're a Grand Old Flag, Yankee Doodle Boy, and Over There, called the unofficial anthem of World War I. Read more >
Eddie Dowling
Inducted in 1966

Mr. Dowling was born in Woonsocket as Joseph Nelson Goucher. As the fourteenth of seventeen children, he used his Irish mother Bridgette's maiden name of Dowling during a brilliant Broadway career as actor, composer, producer and Pulitizer Prize-winning playwright. Dowling's work helped to bring the American stage to a new level of aesthetic maturity and international renown. Read more >
Edward M. Fay
Inducted in 1980

Mr. Fay was a well known local and national theatrical impresario, musician, and band leader. Noted and friend and partner of George M. Cohan, he boosted the careers of many theatrical hopefuls, including the late Eddie Dowling. Read more >
Adrian Hall
Inducted in 1994

Mr. Hall, a native of Texas who made his home in Providence, was the renowned former Artistic Director of Trinity Repertory Company, one of the country’s most recognized resident theatres. He is credited with the development of the internationally acclaimed theatre group into a national model for resident theatres. His vision was principle to the founding of the Company, and he is credited with being the single most driving force behind its’ unqualified success over the past three decades. Read more >
Ruth Hussey (Longenecker)
Inducted in 1967

Ms. Hussey (Longenecker) of Providence became a Hollywood movie star and accomplished supporting actress after her graduation from Pembroke College. Miss Hussey began her theatrical career on the Broadway stage where she won acclaim for her performances in "State of the Union", "Goodbye Mr. Fancy", and "Desk Set". Read more >
Van Johnson
Inducted in 1969

Mr. Johnson, as a native of Newport and a graduate of Rogers High, began selling real estate for his father, but quickly departed for New York, where he landed a part in a Broadway musical. After his role in 'Pal Joey', he was signed to a Hollywood contract by an MGM executive who saw this red-headed, freckle-face Rhode Islander as the star, with a long succession of outstanding roles. Mr. Read more >
Eugene Lee
Inducted in 2007

“Nothing makes me happier than an impossible space and an impossible project,” says renowned theater set designer Eugene Lee.

When Lee designs a set, he will often reconfigure the theatre, repositioning exits, technical booths, even walls, to accommodate the play. His audiences frequently find themselves inside, on top of, or under sets that don’t stay put. Robert Brustein, founding director of the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theatre once said that Lee has “the remarkable capacity to create an illusion of vast reaches out of circumscribed space. Read more >
Michael E. Renzi
Inducted in 2013

Mike Renzi, a master American pianist, arranger, and musical director, was raised in

Providence and started piano lessons at the age of eight; the style was classical. Soon he added

popular music in the style known as “the American songbook,” consisting of the compositions

of such artists as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Johnny Mercer. He got these renditions from

his mother, who loved music and seemed to know all of the popular music of the time--both words

and melodies. Mike could find all of these tunes in any musical key. Read more >

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Inductees in Theater

George M. Cohan (1878-1942)

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