Area community theater performers and patrons alike are mourning the loss of a beloved member of the CT theater world. Roberta Coffill Healy passed away suddenly on Feb. 19. She worked as a dispatcher for the Connecticut State Police Troop L in Litchfield for 28 years, according to the obituary in the Rep-Am.
On Saturday's Backstage with Johnny O, John Ozerhoski honored the memory of his friend. "The theatre world in Northwest CT will never be the same," writes Mr. Ozerhoski. "Roberta Coffill Healy was one of the true ladies of the stage and a dedicated supporter of the arts. Rest in peace, my friend, and condolences to Jack and her family." During the show, the radio host played music from just a few of the shows in which Mrs. Healy appeared locally, including Damn Yankees, The Music Man and The Sound of Music. "She owned the stage whenever she was on it." Click here to listen to the podcast of Saturday's show.
The show that I remember where Mrs. Healy owned the stage was in Landmark Community Theatre's The Music Man. She was a joy to watch as Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn. In my review, I wrote of her performance "As [the mayor's] wife, Roberta Coffill Healy was a riot." She was known for her humorous character parts, but was most proud of her role as Mother Abbess in the Warner Theatre's production of The Sound of Music.
Find out what's happening in Naugatuckfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Community theater actress/director Lucia Dressel will miss her dear friend. "It seems as if every time I got a role, Roberta Coffill Healy would smile devilishly and say, 'I played that one.' She did that to me just two weeks ago at Evita when she told me she couldn't wait to hear me sing "Bali Hai" and that she had played Bloody Mary also. I measured so much by her--my abilities on and off the stage and I learned so much from her warm, gracious attitude and her acting prowess."
Community theater actress Janice Gabriel writes: "When I embarked on the journey that was Titanic I met a beautiful woman who sang like an angel and had a heart of gold. We laughed at the silliest of things, we cried, she always hugged with true sincerity and was one of the kindest people I have EVER met. The world was a better place because Roberta Coffill Healy was in it. Tonight the theatre lights have dimmed and we have all lost a beautiful soul. I will miss you my friend, but I know that you are singing with the Angels. Sail On Bert!"
