Rush’s 1987 appearance was a “one-woman monologue by Barbara Rush about the life of Bess Steed Garner, the subject of Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey’s novel, which was reportedly based on the life of her grandmother, a wealthy Dallas matron.”
[Borrillo, Theodore A. Denver’s Historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey, 2012. p. 338]
“Rush’s final 10 minutes on stage, as she withers and dies before our eyes, is a moving technical feat.”
[The Denver Post, Thursday, June 25, 1987.]
Rush’s Biography from the 1982 program for Supporting Cast:
BARBARA RUSH (Ellen) is currently starring in NBC’s Flamingo Road, and has achieved enviable star stature in film, television, and the theatre. She has starred opposite such male superstars as Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, and Richard Burton.
Her theatrical accomplishments are numerous. She won the Sarah Siddons Award for her performance in the National Company of Forty Carats, and a few years later she received unanimous praise in the National Company of Same Time Next Year, and for a production of Father’s Day, which she also produced.
She is currently writing her first book, How to be a 10 After 39, which will be published in the spring.
She has appeared in dozens of major films including The First Legion with Charles Boyer, two well-known science fiction cult films George Pales’ When Worlds Collide and Ray Bradbury’s It Came From Outer Space, Bigger Than Life with James Mason, Oh Men, Oh Women with David Niven, No Down Payment with Pat Hingle and Tony Randall, The Young Lions with Marlon Brando, Hombre with Paul Newman, and Come Blow Your Horn and Robin and the Seven Hoods with Frank Sinatra.
Ms. Rush has just guest starred in the film Summer Lovers for Randall Kleiser, which will be released in August.
[Rush’s Biography from the 1982 program for Supporting Cast]
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1982
- 1987
Productions/Roles:
- 1982 – The Supporting Cast as Ellen
- 1987 – A Woman of Independent Means – Bess Steed Garner
Career Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- In 1954, she won the Golden Globe Award for “Most Promising Newcomer – Female” for her performance in It Came from Outer Space.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- Barbara Rush was good friends with Robert Osborne, also an HET Alum.
- Rush was in The Supporting Cast (1982) national tour with Sandy Dennis.
- Steel Magnolias (1988-1989) national tour with Carole Cook, June Lockhart and Marion Ross.
Wikipedia Link:
