Frazier in Cleveland State University’s 1980 production of “Staircase.” Credit: CSU
Over the past weekend, the immensely talented Cleveland actor and singer David O. Frazier passed away after an extended illness. He was one of the people, along with his partner of 40 years (and husband of two years) Joe Garry, who were instrumental in saving our downtown theaters from demolition.

It was their brilliant 1973 production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris that pumped new life into Playhouse Square and convinced local movers and shakers to think of that area as something more than a location for parking lots. Joe directed David in that show, as he did in many other productions, and their long collaboration resulted in a string of theatrical triumphs.

The entire Cleveland theater community, and everyone else in this region, owes a debt of gratitude to David Frazier, a man who loved and devoured life with enormous passion. He was a cherished friend of mine, as well as many others, and he will be sorely missed.

This article appears in Mar 9-15, 2016.

Christine Howey has been reviewing theater since 1997, first at Cleveland Free Times and then for other publications including City Pages in Minneapolis, MN and The Plain Dealer. Her blog, Rave and Pan, also features her play reviews. Christine is a former stage actor and director, primarily at Dobama Theatre.

One reply on “David O. Frazier, R.I.P.”

  1. I choreographed a production of “Take me Along” that David starred in and Joe Garry directed.
    I never laughed so hard in my life during a rehearsal process. And what he did with that soft-shoe staging in the end? let’s just say, it was all David Frazier.
    Still makes me smile.
    Peace my friend.
    Martín Céspedes

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