When the talented stage, television and motion picture actor flirted with a pretty young ingenue named Vanessa Claire, little did he know that she was a Jeanie in a Bottle.
He shared his dreams with her throughout their courtship. His first wish was to one day star in a grand production at the Pasadena Playhouse. As a teenager, Stewart was an usher at the beautiful and historic theater. He looked up at the actors onstage and dream to one day be able to star in a production at the Playhouse.
His second desire was his fascination with Buster Keaton, the man and actor.
His last wish was one day to have a beautiful wife, beautiful home and child.
Vanessa Claire listened to all of his wishes while the two dated. Before they married, she wrote a play about the life of Buster Keaton for French Stewart's birthday.
After they married, they opened Stoneface on May 2012 to a sold-out audience in a 82 seat theater in East Hollywood. The show ran 68 sold-out shows. It became the critical darling in Hollywood receiving multiple awards and the title of "Production of the Year."
With a hit on their hands they took the script over to Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Peps. He loved the production and welcomed the Stewarts onstage for the 2014 season.
Stoneface opened with previews June 3 and closed June 29. Go buy a ticket for a one-of-a-kind show about Buster Keaton and his lovers and friends in the silent films.French Stewart's last wish came true 11 months ago when Vanessa delivered a healthy and beautiful daughter.
