JOSEPH BEAL (1964-2025
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Actor and founding member of Invictus Theatre Company Joseph Beal passed away on November 18 at the age of 61. Joe appeared at many Chicago theatres, including Theatre on the Lake, Profiles Performance Ensemble, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Pheasant Run Dinner Theatre, Bailiwick, Westgate Dinner Theatre, Wayside Theatre, Piccolo Theatre and Upstart Theatre Company. He was a prominent figure in the creation and original cast of SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!, originating the character of "Joe.” He stayed with that show from 1993-1998 as it ran in Chicago, moved to Off-Broadway in New York, went on several tours, and returned to Chicago.
Joe appeared in many productions with Invictus, which he helped found in 2017 and where he was a member of the board. His roles there included Shylock in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, Claudius in HAMLET, Reverend Parris in THE CRUCIBLE, Chebutýkin in THREE SISTERS, and Brabantio in OTHELLO. In addition, Joe had a successful career in both technology and information governance. He was a manager for a Chicago corporation, and in senior leadership for several Chicago law firms and the Sydney Arts Council in Australia. Joe traveled widely, living for extended times in England, Australia, New York and Washington DC. Joseph Michael “Joe” Beal was born on January 10, 1964, in Mobile AL, to Warren and Beatrice Mae (Brei) Beal. He attended school in Baraboo, WI, then continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Music, with concentrations in Journalism and Theatre. After college, he toured with the Wisconsin Singers, a group serving as a goodwill ambassador for the University. He eventually moved to Chicago and began performing locally, as well as in regional playhouses in Toledo, OH and Middletown, VA. Joe is survived by his siblings — Ann (Gary) Karch, Matthew, James and Daniel; seven nephews, a niece, a great-niece, and two great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a younger sister, Mary Elizabeth; and two older brothers, Thomas and Andrew. Memorials in Joe’s honor may be made to Invictus Theatre, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, and St. Joseph School, Baraboo, WI. |