Who was Bob Boldrick? Carson City to celebrate theater named after dedicated stage manager
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 09/18/2024 - 4:52am
Event Date:
September 21, 2024 - 11:00am
As Carson City is about to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bob Boldrick Theater this Saturday at the Community Center, it’s important to know just who Bob Boldrick was and why this theater is named after him.
Since Bob Boldrick died 34 years ago on June 2,1990 after spending 13 years as the most integral part of the theater staff, there are not many around to remember that he was the all-around go-to guy who oversaw that stage productions went smoothly. That same job is being held today by Eric Klug.
Bob was born in San Diego in 1951 and after he married Deborah Rae Savel in 1977, he moved from San Diego to Carson City to manage the theater just three years after opening in 1974. He was only 39 when he died. Today, he is buried in Lone Mountain Cemetery and his widow and two daughters — Cynthia and Rebekah — relocated to Oregon.
On the lobby wall to the entrance of the theater is a plaque dedicated to the memory of Bob Boldrick that reads, “The sights and sounds in this Theater Reflect the Commitment this man had in Making each Production a Unique and Enjoyable Experience for the People of Carson City. His memory Lives on with Every Performance.” Dedicated September 4, 1990.
Today, the Bob Boldrick Theater is used almost daily as a regional theater for many productions and events. It was refurbished in 2018 to provide a more comfortable experience for those attending a performance. Mayor Bob Crowell and Susan Crowell hosted the grand re-opening gala in January of 2019 organized by the Carson City Chamber raising r $20,200 to refurbish the lobby area by putting in new lighting and providing funds for curtains and whatever else was needed to make the lobby warm and inviting. The WNMTC cast of Mama Mia sang Abba tunes to the delight of the esteemed audience.
Many stars have been born in this storied theater as they were directed by Western Nevada Musical Theater College producer/director Stephanie Arrigotti who has produced 107 productions, most performed in the Bob Boldrick Theater.
We know that Bob Boldrick would have loved all the WNMTC theater productions, most especially the production of Mama Mia, enjoying the songs that would have been so familiar to him during his brief lifetime.
While there are not many who may remember the life and times of Bob Boldrick, his name is forever memorialized in our theater as a citizen who made a difference through his love and dedication of the arts. He was not an elected official, historical figure, benefactor or other dignitary. He was an ordinary man who worked hard and gained the love and respect of those who worked with him.
A day of free family fun for the community is planned in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bob Boldrick Theater located at the Carson City Community Center.
The block party will begin on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at 11 a.m. with free activities and games for the whole family all around the Community Center, including face painting, temporary tattoos, cornhole, bubbles, a puppet-making craft; hands-on learning experiences hosted by local groups, food trucks and more. All activities and performances are free. Art, food, raffle tickets, and other goodies will be available for purchase. Go here for details.
In the photo: Responding to the call for revitalization of the Bob Boldrick Theater in 2019, Bob Fredlund, the Carson City Chamber Chair at that time, presented a check in the amount of $20,200 to refresh the lobby area to parks director Jennifer Budge on Feb. 12, 2109, along with then Mayor Bob Crowell.
— Ronni Hannaman is the Executive Director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.
