THEATER: Tribute to John Goring

 

For those of you who have not heard yet, former Playwrights Round Table President and guiding light John Goring passed away early Sunday morning from complications arising from his stroke back in September. He fought the good fight, the hospital and the rehab center did what they could, but in the end the ravages wrought by the stroke eventually proved too much for his heart. He was 56 years old.

 

In the short time since, as we have tried to grasp the thought that he is gone, several individuals have stepped forward to honor John with a tribute service commemorating our dear friend. Details are still pending, but this much is definite -- on Monday March 16th, a service will be held at Theatre Downtown for John. The doors will open at 7pm, and the service is at 8. Several people are expected to eulogize and remember John, and there will be a video/photo tribute to John and his works. There may be more to add as we get closer to the date.

 

I would like to thank everyone who has called to express condolences and offered to help. I would particularly like to thank Frank and Fran Hilgenberg of Theatre Downtown -- really good people who have been great supporters of PRT for many years -- for allowing a tribute to John to appropriately enough be held in a theater, and also Bonnie Sprung and PRT member Barb Solomon for taking the lead and making this service happen.

 

If more information becomes available, we will pass it along on our MySpace and Facebook pages, our main website, and via the Sentinel Theater blog. Also, if you have any questions on how to help with the service, please contact Bonnie Sprung at (407) 921-4585 or Barb Solomon at (407) 415-0978. I have not heard anything yet about floral arrangements or things like that, but those two might be a good source to ask.

 

On behalf of the PRT Board, we hope to see you there Monday night. Please join us in saying goodbye to a good man who gave a lot of himself to further the cause of original play works.

 

President