Louis DiCrescenzo (right) and Terry Shaughnessey backstage at "Bozo the Town".
The one and only Louis DiCrescenzo, the gifted artist who designed and built both The John Lennon Auditorium at 703 Howard Street and The Piper’s Alley Theatre at North & Wells, passed away last week.
Brad Hall, his cast-mate in the original production of “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?”, introduced Louis to The Practical Theatre Company in 1981. Louis’ imprint on the PTC was much, much larger than the big man himself.
The big man in a note session backstage with us during "Bozo the Town". (From right) Sheldon Patinkin, Vic, Paul, Louis D., Bea and Steve Rashid. (Kyle Hefner, below left)
Big, affable, talented Louis D will be remembered by members, friends and fans of The Practical Theatre Company not only for his visionary theatre designs – but also for his scene-stealing performances as stage manager in “Art, Ruth & Trudy” and “Bozo the Town”, as well as his wonderful turns on the PTC/WMAQ-TV projects, “Overnight Guest” (as landlord, Nick Nickolopopolous) and the Emmy-winning live broadcast of “Deer Season.”
Paul, Louis, Kyle and Vic in "Bozo the Town". (1987)
Louis D was larger than life.
And we were glad to have worked, rehearsed, performed – and laughed – with him.
RIP Louis.
We love you.
Here’s Louis’ obituary in The Chicago Tribune…
