Featured Right: John Edwards in the boy who stole the stars.
When John Edwards came to Charleston in 1996, he had already had a distinguished career as a television director for CBS’s Search for Tomorrow and other shows. He was one of the first directors of PBS’s Charlie Rose. A drama graduate of Yale, John in his later years, became a treasured leading member of Charleston Stage’s acting company. He brought to life such wonderful and moving characters as the stately and understanding father in Eugene O’Neill’s Ah Wilderness, the silly Mr. De Pinna in You Can’t Take It With You, and gloomy Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol. For me, I especially remember him playing two wonderful grandfathers. First, as the kindly and mischievous grandfather in my play, the boy who stole the stars, and as the stoic grandfather in Ragtime, John’s last role with Charleston Stage in 2007. Kind, clever, imaginative, and inventive, John not only brought great skill to his roles but empowered them with passion and a gentle caring spirit. It was always a delight to have John in a show. He was a valued member of every cast. John brought along a bonus, his 11-year-old daughter Bessie who grew up in our TheatreSchool program appearing in such shows as Charlotte’s Web. Bessie became an outstanding member of our TheatreWings Apprentice Program and joined us as a staff member before attending graduate school. Bessie is all grown up now with two children of her own and lives with her husband in Virginia.
Featured Right: John Edwards in Ragtime.
Sadly, John passed away on July 5 at the age of 83. He will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to Bessie and her family and special thanks to John who lit up so many Charleston Stage productions on the Dock Street Theatre stage for so many years.
Julian Wiles
Founder and Producing Artistic Director
Charleston Stage