Marc Silvia (1959-2023)
Marc Andrew Silvia - veteran of Chicago’s storefront theater heydays - passed away at the age of 64.
Marc was an actor/playwright/director who was a fixture in the Chicago Storefront Theater scene of the 1980s. In 1986, he co-founded (with Lynn Baber & Barbara Reeder) the Econo-Art Theatre Company, a company that focused primarily on new work, performing in or designing over 35 plays in Chicago in his 19 years there. Marc was also was a mainstay at Live Bait Theater and City Lit, as well as now-defunct companies such as Cloud 42, Bailiwick Repertory (the predecessor of PrideArts), and Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park. He was memorable as Snug the Joiner/Lion in MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at Court Theatre; and was also seen at Beacon St. Playhouse in SCHOOL FOR WIVES, early in his Chicago years. At Econo-Art, he was singled out for outstanding performances in LOONS (an evening of one-acts), THE UNDERPANTS, THE RADIO PLAY (which he also wrote), and THE RELAPSE. He also did Scenic Design for all of Econo-Art’s 16 productions, under the name Art Pastel. He starred as Oscar Wilde in GROSS INDECENCY, as Freud in FREUD, DORA & THE WOLFMAN, as Jean Cocteau in THE WHITE PAPER (which he also conceived and wrote), as Kafka in THE CASTLE, and as Lord Byron in CHILDE BYRON. This list is only the tip of the iceberg of Marc’s iconic career in Chicago. He was beloved by fellow actors, directors, audiences and playwrights. In 2001, Marc moved to Los Angeles to work on the wildly successful Chicago-grown show, LATE NITE CATECHISM, as director, writer of sequels, and set designer. He worked with LNC until the end of his life. Marc won the After Dark Award for his performance as the drag queen Medea in “The Underwear Plays” at Bailiwick Rep and appeared frequently at Victory Gardens Theatre originating many roles in the plays of Joel Drake Johnson. Born in Hartford CT in 1959, Marc graduated from Middletown High School in 1977, where he was voted “most talented” by his class. He attended PACE University for one year, but transferred to and graduated from University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA in Acting in 1982. He is survived by his partner and best friend Nicolas Hebert of Montreal; his mother, Jean Biastre Gadsby of Middletown; sister and brother-in-law Lisa & Patrick McGuire; 3 nieces, Megan (Devin) Gosal, Erin (Caleb) Chase and Kate (Caitlin) McGuire, and his great niece and great nephew, Rheya and Aiden Gosal - as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He is predeceased by his father Francis A. Silvia. Chicago director Steve Scott said: “Marc was such a vibrant presence that it’s impossible to believe that he’s gone. Such wit, such kindness, such talent and sensitivity and warmth and incredible intelligence. I miss him dearly—but have some wonderful memories. If you didn’t know him—well, I wish you had.” |