Joseph C. Sadowski (1954-2023)
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Joseph C. Sadowski, age 69, passed away on October 8, 2023, surrounded by family playing his favorite music, and expressing how loved he is.
A professional actor and director, Joe was an ensemble member of Chicago’s famed Body Politic Theater, co-founder of Pleasant Avenue Players in Minneapolis, MN where for 9 years he wrote and directed neighborhood children in original plays every summer, and a popular commercial and voice-over actor. He was a cook, a teacher, a union arbitrator, a mail carrier for the USPS, a Chicago tour guide, a reader for the State Services for the Blind, and Santa Claus. Joe’s Chicago career reads like a primer in great works produced during the hey-day of Chicago storefront theater. Early on in 1985, Joe appeared in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's "The Rivals" staged at the early incarnation of Court Theater - the University of Chicago Court Theatre, but Joe was a regular and celebrated acting and directing fixture at Body Politic Theatre. Notable Body Politic shows include: “Floor Above the Roof” (1987, Director), “Man & Superman” (1987, Actor), “The Royal Family” (1988, Director), Brian Friel’s “Volunteers” (Actor), Tom Stoppard’s “Rough Crossing” (Actor), and Ronald Harwood’s “The Dresser” (Actor). In 1991, he directed Tom Stoppard’s "Artist Descending a Staircase" at Body Politic, for which he won the 1991 Equity Jeff Award for Best Director. Theater critic Tom Boeker raves about Joe’s performance in a Chicago Reader review of Body Politic’s “Man and Superman”: “Superior performances are given by…Body Politic’s regular ensemble. Joseph Sadowski plays Octavius …Sadowski distinguishes himself early in the play, even in the scene where he just stands there adoring Ann, head tilted to one side, not blinking for minutes on end. Ah, rapture. … Sadowski (is) admirable proof that character acting is not dead.” Joe was raised in Lansing, IL, and a graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph. He is survived by his wife Nancy Skalkos of 38 years, children Zachary and Evelyn (Coco), sisters Catherine, Carol McGrath (Michael), Claudia Gagnon (Thomas), Christen (Tim Etter) and many nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members, and a wide circle of amazing friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph S. Sadowski and Charlene (nee Klein) and special friends Edie, Oscar, Omar, and Hildy. |