The COMMERCIAL RECORD
Allegan, MI. 24 February 1966
JAMES C. WEBSTER SUCCUMBS TO ILLNESS
James C. Webster, Saugatuck, former producer-director of the Red Barn Theatre near Saugatuck, died Friday at 6:15a.m. in Holland Hospital where he had been a heart patient for several weeks. He had been a patient in the hospital on several occasions in the last two years. He opened a summer theatre in Saugatuck in 1947 producing his plays in Saugatuck High School for a few years and then moving three years later to Douglas where he established the first Red Barn Theatre just off US 31 near Gray Gables.
In 1963, he purchased the Belvedere Barn about 7 miles south of Holland on Old US 31 and produced plays there until illness forced him to sell about 10 years ago. Since then the Red Barn has been operated by James Dyas of New York City.
Webster, a graduate of Goodman Theatre in 1938, served as technical director, stage manager and in other capacities with many theatres in the 1930's and 40's. While in Charleston, S.C. in 1940 and 1941, he was assistant designer for Cecil B. deMille's production of "Red the Wild Win" which was on location there and also doubled for Ray Milland in many scenes. After Charleston he spent a season with the Graff Ballet as stage manager and lighting decorator on a 30,000 mile tour of the United States. Later he worked with the Kalamazoo Civic Players, the Springfield, Ohio Community Players and the Allegan Players. In 1963 he directed "The Pajama Game" for Holland Community Theatre.
Webster also worked at times for the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, Carousel Mountain and the American Legion Club.
At request of the deceased, Dykstra Funderal Home arranged for the body to be taken to the University of Michigan medical school.
Allegan, MI. 24 February 1966
JAMES C. WEBSTER SUCCUMBS TO ILLNESS
James C. Webster, Saugatuck, former producer-director of the Red Barn Theatre near Saugatuck, died Friday at 6:15a.m. in Holland Hospital where he had been a heart patient for several weeks. He had been a patient in the hospital on several occasions in the last two years. He opened a summer theatre in Saugatuck in 1947 producing his plays in Saugatuck High School for a few years and then moving three years later to Douglas where he established the first Red Barn Theatre just off US 31 near Gray Gables.
In 1963, he purchased the Belvedere Barn about 7 miles south of Holland on Old US 31 and produced plays there until illness forced him to sell about 10 years ago. Since then the Red Barn has been operated by James Dyas of New York City.
Webster, a graduate of Goodman Theatre in 1938, served as technical director, stage manager and in other capacities with many theatres in the 1930's and 40's. While in Charleston, S.C. in 1940 and 1941, he was assistant designer for Cecil B. deMille's production of "Red the Wild Win" which was on location there and also doubled for Ray Milland in many scenes. After Charleston he spent a season with the Graff Ballet as stage manager and lighting decorator on a 30,000 mile tour of the United States. Later he worked with the Kalamazoo Civic Players, the Springfield, Ohio Community Players and the Allegan Players. In 1963 he directed "The Pajama Game" for Holland Community Theatre.
Webster also worked at times for the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, Carousel Mountain and the American Legion Club.
At request of the deceased, Dykstra Funderal Home arranged for the body to be taken to the University of Michigan medical school.
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