Ruby Lynn Reyner (January 27, 1948 – March 10, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, musical playwright and actress known as the star of the Playhouse of the Ridiculous and associated as the leader of the glam rock band Ruby and the Rednecks in New York City. She and her band performed on the New York Club circuit such as Max's Kansas City and CBGB's during the 1970s.[1] Reyner also did film starring in Heaven Wants Out [2] by director Robert Feinberg in 1970.
Ruby Lynn Reyner | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lynn Reyner |
| Born | January 27, 1948 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | March 10, 2024 (aged 76) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1967–2024 |
| Labels | Poo Poo Plater |
| Website | rubylynnreyner |
Reyner was included among Warhol Factory denizens, artists and superstars and modeled for photographer Francesco Scavullo for his photo book Scavullo: Francesco Scavullo Photographs 1948–1984. She also modeled for Leee Black Childers, who included her in his 130 Fabulous Faces.
Throughout the 1970s Reyner continued performing with her band on the downtown glam punk rock scene[3] in NYC until experiencing a serious illness in 1982 which suspended her career for several years. It wasn't until the 1990s that she returned to music and performance continuing until today. Reyner last directed, performed and produced her play Singin'in the ER in Fall 2019 at Theater for the New City in New York City.[4]
Early life and career
editBorn Lynn Reyner in Brooklyn, New York City on January 27, 1948,[5][6] to Dr. Franklin Cooper Reyner and actress Rubye Reyner[7] (né Rubye Meyers). Ruby Lynn Reyner spent her infancy under the care of her maternal grandmother and family in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn. Her father was a physician, an Ob/Gyn Specialist,[8] who moved the family to Long Island, New York.
Reyner graduated from South Side Sr. High School in Rockville Centre, then entered Emerson College. She began a career in modeling and attended a rehearsal of The Playhouse of the Ridiculous and was introduced to John Vacarro who immediately put her in the chorus of Conquest of the Universe. She soon rose to the feature role as Alice, the conqueror's wife. She starred in many Playhouse productions during the 1970s and 1980s.[9]
Theatre
editRuby Lynn Reyner performed with Playhouse of the Ridiculous[10] and was added to the cast of Drag Queens and Warhol superstars.[11] She appeared in 40 Vacarro productions such as Conquest of the Universe, Lady Godiva, Heaven Grand in Amber Orbit, Cock Strong, Son of Cock Strong, and Pineapple Face.[12]
She remained with the Playhouse for many years starring in Heaven Grand in Amber Orbit by Jackie Curtis,[13] Sissy by Seth Allan, and La Bohemia written and directed by John Vacarro. She won the Drama Desk Award for outstanding performance in La Bohemia and received good notices for her Broadway role of Mary, Queen of Scots in Paul Foster's Elizabeth I.[14]
Reyner and her co-writer Gordon Bressac created and produced several musical variety shows at Crystal Fields Theater for the New City, including Voidville 1 and Vandals of 1981. In addition, she made appearances in other shows like Jimmy Camecia's Hot Peaches. During the 1990s, she wrote, directed and starred in Singing' in the Islands and Christmas in the Islands.
Reyner continued to write, direct and perform in the show Singin' in the ER, a satirical play about her own hospital experiences, produced at the Theater for the New City during Fall 2019.[15]
Music
editReyner sang in many Playhouse productions and formed a band with her collaborating musical artists Ruby and the Rednecks. She wrote satirical songs, many from the Playhouse, with her partner and collaborator John Madera and debuted at the Mercer Arts Center where she opened for The New York Dolls and thus became part of the glam rock movement and punk rock scene at Max's Kansas City and CBGB's.
Ruby has performed with the Rednecks since the 1970s.[16] About her performance when singing her song "Beat Me Daddy", Village Voice wrote "Ruby threw out an oversized Teddy Bear, shrieked, stomped on the bear, kicked it, clawed at the audience while her claque (from Interview magazine I was told) roared back their delight. Meanwhile Michael Goldstein of the SoHo Weekly News was telling Tina Weymouth, Trixie A. Balm and myself that Ruby was going to make it big because she has what it takes."[1]
She produced two albums for Ruby and the Rednecks: From the Wrong Side of Town produced with Peter Crowley and Live Again! at CBGB's a live album, narrated by Jayne County.
Film
editReyner starred in Heaven Wants Out in 1970. It features Holly Woodlawn, Mary Woronov, Ondine and the photographer Francesco Scavullo.[17]
Heaven Wants Out remained on the shelf incomplete until the 2000s when the film's history was told by the documentary Finishing Heaven,[18] appearing on HBO in 2008.[19]
Reyner also had the lead role in 1971's About Me: A Musical by Robert Frank.[20] Other appearances include Beautiful Darling and Generation Um.
Death
editReyner died in New York City on March 10, 2024, at the age of 76.[6][5]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Four Stars (aka ****) | Ruby | Andy Warhol |
| 1971 | About Me: A Musical [21] | Robert Frank | Robert Frank |
| 2002 | The Cockettes[10] | Herself | Bill Weber, David Weissman |
| 2008 | Finishing Heaven[22] | Herself | Mark Mann |
| 2009 | Heaven Wants Out[17] | Heaven | Robert Feinberg |
| 2010 | Beautiful Darling[23] | Herself | James Rasin |
| 2012 | Generation Um[24] | Posse Queen | Mark Mann |
Broadway
edit| Year | Title | Role | Theater |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Elizabeth I[14] | Mary, Queen of Scotts | Lyceum Theatre |
| 1971 | Delicate Champions | Princess Freafreara | Lincoln Center |
Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway
edit| Title | Role | Theater |
|---|---|---|
| Conquest of the Universe | Alice, the Queen of the Universe | Bouwerie Lane Theatre |
| Lady Godiva | Lady Godiva | Playhouse of the Ridiculous, La Mama |
| Life of Juanita Castro | Fidel Castro | Theatre for the New City |
| Cock Strong | Denise | La Mama |
| Son of Cock Strong | Denise | La Mama |
| Heaven Grand and Amber Orbit | Heaven Grand | La Mama |
| Sissy by Seth Allan | Lead | La Mama |
| Pineapple Face | Noriega Mistress | Theatre for the New City |
| La Fin Du Cirque | Axe Lady | La Mama |
| Voideville 1 | Emcee | Theatre for the New City |
| Off the Cuff | Lead | Theatre for the New City |
| Last Brunch | Old Mary | Theatre for the New City |
| Christmas Cards | Young Mary | Theatre for the New City |
| Champagne by Jackie Curtis | Sophie | Theatre World |
| La Bohemia | Trilby | La Mama |
| YMCA | Lena, the laughing hyena | Stigwood Productions |
| Vandals of 1981 | Host, Kitty, Stella | Diplomat Hotel |
| Book of Etiquette | Cecilla | La Mama |
| Gulliver's Travels | Queen Glonda Loona | La Mama Annex |
| Midsummer Nights Dream | Puck | La Mama Annex |
| Not Up To Snuff | Natasha | Performance Space New York |
| Andy Milligan Cinderella'85 | Cinderella | Park Avenue Christian Church |
| Lily, A Tragedy for cabaret or Lounge | Lily | La Mama Cabaret |
| Red Tide Blooming | Tanorexic Gypsey | Performance Space New York |
| Singin'in the Island | Amanda, director, playwright | La Mama Galleria |
| Christmas in the Island | Amanda, director, playwright | La Mama |
| Voideville 2 | Emcee, co-Director | Theatre for the New City |
| Two by Tavel | Fidel Castro | Theatre for the New City |
| Singin' in the ER[15] | Amanda, director, playwright | Theatre for the New City |
Awards
edit| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Performance in a Musical | La Bohemia[14] | Won |
| 2018 | Acker Award | Music | Musical Career[25] | Won |
Ruby and the Rednecks discography
editAlbums
edit- From the Wrong Side of Town (2004)[26]
- Live Again! At CBGB's (2008)
Compilation albums
edit- Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond (2017)[27]
References
edit- ^ a b "A Conservative Impulse in the New Rock Underground". Villagevoice.com. May 23, 2019.
- ^ "Ruby Lynn Reyner Heaven Wants Out (1970)". Howlarts.org. September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Magic Tramps – Current Noise". Magictramps.com.
- ^ "Singin' in the E.R. (Closed October 13, 2019) | New York City | reviews, cast and info | TheaterMania". Theatermania.com. March 14, 2023.
- ^ a b "Ruby Lynn Reyner (1948–2024)". The LGBTQ History Project. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ruby Lynn Reyner". Primary Stages Off-Center. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Alumni Graduation Archive – The American Academy of Dramatic Arts". Aada.edu.
- ^ "Dr. Franklin Reyner, MD – Rockville Centre, NY | Obstetrics & Gynecology on Doximity". Doximity.
- ^ Weber, Bruce (August 11, 2016). "John Vaccaro, Whose Playhouse of the Ridiculous Gave Anarchy a Stage, Dies at 86". The New York Times.
- ^ a b "John Vaccaro and the Playhouse of the Ridiculous". Travsd.wordpress.com. May 7, 2017.
- ^ "Warholstars News Archive July 2008". Warholstars.org.
- ^ "John Vaccaro and the Playhouse of the Ridiculous". Travsd.wordpress.com. May 7, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ Highberger, Craig B. (November 24, 2015). Superstar in a Housedress: The Life and Legend of Jackie Curtis. Open Road Media. ISBN 978-1-5040-2508-9 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c "Ruby Lynn Reyner". Playbill.
- ^ a b "Theater for the New City Stages World Premiere of SINGIN' IN THE E.R." BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ "People". Dsps.lib.uiowa.edu. August 14, 2018.
- ^ a b "Heaven Wants Out". IMDb.com.
- ^ Koehler, Robert (July 8, 2008). "Finishing Heaven". Variety.com.
- ^ Kurutz, Steven (September 30, 2009). "HBO Documentary Follows a Scorsese Protege's 37-Year Quest to Complete His Film". Blogs.wsj.com.
- ^ "Altered States: Robert Frank Uncovered America — And Robert Frank". Villagevoice.com. August 2, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "About Me: A Musical". IMDb.com.
- ^ "Finishing Heaven". IMDb.com.
- ^ "Beautiful Darling". IMDb.com.
- ^ "Generation Um..." IMDb.com.
- ^ "2018 Acker Awards" (PDF). Nyackerawards.info. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Ruby & The Rednecks – From the Wrong Side of Town". Daddykool.com.
- ^ "Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond". Jungle-records.net.