Last weekend, two weeks before Baltimore Shakespeare Factory is to unveil the first Original Pronunciation staging of a work by the Bard in this region ("The Merchant of Venice"), the company was shaken by news of the sudden death of cast member Chris Ryder. A casue of death was not disclosed.
Fellow actors are taking up the multiple roles he had would have performed, and the production will dedicated to his memory.
The company released this statement from Baltimore Shakespeare Factory artistic director Tom Delise:
There has not been a more dedicated and loyal member of the Baltimore Shakespeare Factory — he is the epitome of an ensemble member. Chris never let anything get in the way of what was best for the company, and he made so many contributions to the organization as a whole — and to each of us individually — during the time that we were blessed to have him with us.
Chris's first production with us was when he appeared in our 2010 "Comedy of Errors," and it is tragically ironic that his last performance with us was in the same play. However, as a cast member of our current production of "The Merchant of Venice," his spirit will permeate every remaining rehearsal and performance of this play and all our future productions.
A wake for Mr. Ryder will be held form 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Burgee-Henss-Seitz Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. (preceded by a 10 a.m. wake) at Saints Philip and James Catholic Church.