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Ruby Lynn Reyner

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Ruby Lynn Reyner
Background information
Birth nameLynn Reyner
Born(1948-01-27)January 27, 1948
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 10, 2024(2024-03-10) (aged 76)
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • playwright
  • actress
Years active1967–2024
LabelsPoo Poo Plater
Websiterubylynnreyner.com

Ruby Lynn Reyner (January 27, 1948 – March 10, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, musical playwright and actress known as the star of the Playhouse of the Ridiculous and associated as the leader of the glam rock band Ruby and the Rednecks in New York City. She and her band performed on the New York Club circuit such as Max's Kansas City and CBGB's during the 1970s.[1] Reyner also did film starring in Heaven Wants Out [2] by director Robert Feinberg in 1970.

Reyner was included among Warhol Factory denizens, artists and superstars and modeled for photographer Francesco Scavullo for his photo book Scavullo: Francesco Scavullo Photographs 1948–1984. She also modeled for Leee Black Childers, who included her in his 130 Fabulous Faces.

Throughout the 1970s Reyner continued performing with her band on the downtown glam punk rock scene[3] in NYC until experiencing a serious illness in 1982 which suspended her career for several years. It wasn't until the 1990s that she returned to music and performance continuing until today. Reyner last directed, performed and produced her play Singin'in the ER in Fall 2019 at Theater for the New City in New York City.[4]

Early life and career

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Born Lynn Reyner in Brooklyn, New York City on January 27, 1948,[5][6] to Dr. Franklin Cooper Reyner and actress Rubye Reyner[7] (né Rubye Meyers). Ruby Lynn Reyner spent her infancy under the care of her maternal grandmother and family in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn. Her father was a physician, an Ob/Gyn Specialist,[8] who moved the family to Long Island, New York.

Reyner graduated from South Side Sr. High School in Rockville Centre, then entered Emerson College. She began a career in modeling and attended a rehearsal of The Playhouse of the Ridiculous and was introduced to John Vacarro who immediately put her in the chorus of Conquest of the Universe. She soon rose to the feature role as Alice, the conqueror's wife. She starred in many Playhouse productions during the 1970s and 1980s.[9]

Theatre

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Ruby Lynn Reyner lead actress at Playhouse of the Ridiculous

Ruby Lynn Reyner performed with Playhouse of the Ridiculous[10] and was added to the cast of Drag Queens and Warhol superstars.[11] She appeared in 40 Vacarro productions such as Conquest of the Universe, Lady Godiva, Heaven Grand in Amber Orbit, Cock Strong, Son of Cock Strong, and Pineapple Face.[12]

She remained with the Playhouse for many years starring in Heaven Grand in Amber Orbit by Jackie Curtis,[13] Sissy by Seth Allan, and La Bohemia written and directed by John Vacarro. She won the Drama Desk Award for outstanding performance in La Bohemia and received good notices for her Broadway role of Mary, Queen of Scots in Paul Foster's Elizabeth I.[14]

Reyner and her co-writer Gordon Bressac created and produced several musical variety shows at Crystal Fields Theater for the New City, including Voidville 1 and Vandals of 1981. In addition, she made appearances in other shows like Jimmy Camecia's Hot Peaches. During the 1990s, she wrote, directed and starred in Singing' in the Islands and Christmas in the Islands.

Reyner continued to write, direct and perform in the show Singin' in the ER, a satirical play about her own hospital experiences, produced at the Theater for the New City during Fall 2019.[15]

Music

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Ruby Lynn Reyner photo shoot in NYC

Reyner sang in many Playhouse productions and formed a band with her collaborating musical artists Ruby and the Rednecks. She wrote satirical songs, many from the Playhouse, with her partner and collaborator John Madera and debuted at the Mercer Arts Center where she opened for The New York Dolls and thus became part of the glam rock movement and punk rock scene at Max's Kansas City and CBGB's.

Ruby has performed with the Rednecks since the 1970s.[16] About her performance when singing her song "Beat Me Daddy", Village Voice wrote "Ruby threw out an oversized Teddy Bear, shrieked, stomped on the bear, kicked it, clawed at the audience while her claque (from Interview magazine I was told) roared back their delight. Meanwhile Michael Goldstein of the SoHo Weekly News was telling Tina Weymouth, Trixie A. Balm and myself that Ruby was going to make it big because she has what it takes."[1]

She produced two albums for Ruby and the Rednecks: From the Wrong Side of Town produced with Peter Crowley and Live Again! at CBGB's a live album, narrated by Jayne County.

Film

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Reyner starred in Heaven Wants Out in 1970. It features Holly Woodlawn, Mary Woronov, Ondine and the photographer Francesco Scavullo.[17]

Heaven Wants Out remained on the shelf incomplete until the 2000s when the film's history was told by the documentary Finishing Heaven,[18] appearing on HBO in 2008.[19]

Reyner also had the lead role in 1971's About Me: A Musical by Robert Frank.[20] Other appearances include Beautiful Darling and Generation Um.

Death

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Reyner died in New York City on March 10, 2024, at the age of 76.[6][5]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Director
1967 Four Stars (aka ****) Ruby Andy Warhol
1971 About Me: A Musical [21] Robert Frank Robert Frank
2002 The Cockettes[10] Herself Bill Weber, David Weissman
2008 Finishing Heaven[22] Herself Mark Mann
2009 Heaven Wants Out[17] Heaven Robert Feinberg
2010 Beautiful Darling[23] Herself James Rasin
2012 Generation Um[24] Posse Queen Mark Mann

Broadway

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Year Title Role Theater
1972 Elizabeth I[14] Mary, Queen of Scotts Lyceum Theatre
1971 Delicate Champions Princess Freafreara Lincoln Center

Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway

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Title Role Theater
Conquest of the Universe Alice, the Queen of the Universe Bouwerie Lane Theatre
Lady Godiva Lady Godiva Playhouse of the Ridiculous, La Mama
Life of Juanita Castro Fidel Castro Theatre for the New City
Cock Strong Denise La Mama
Son of Cock Strong Denise La Mama
Heaven Grand and Amber Orbit Heaven Grand La Mama
Sissy by Seth Allan Lead La Mama
Pineapple Face Noriega Mistress Theatre for the New City
La Fin Du Cirque Axe Lady La Mama
Voideville 1 Emcee Theatre for the New City
Off the Cuff Lead Theatre for the New City
Last Brunch Old Mary Theatre for the New City
Christmas Cards Young Mary Theatre for the New City
Champagne by Jackie Curtis Sophie Theatre World
La Bohemia Trilby La Mama
YMCA Lena, the laughing hyena Stigwood Productions
Vandals of 1981 Host, Kitty, Stella Diplomat Hotel
Book of Etiquette Cecilla La Mama
Gulliver's Travels Queen Glonda Loona La Mama Annex
Midsummer Nights Dream Puck La Mama Annex
Not Up To Snuff Natasha Performance Space New York
Andy Milligan Cinderella'85 Cinderella Park Avenue Christian Church
Lily, A Tragedy for cabaret or Lounge Lily La Mama Cabaret
Red Tide Blooming Tanorexic Gypsey Performance Space New York
Singin'in the Island Amanda, director, playwright La Mama Galleria
Christmas in the Island Amanda, director, playwright La Mama
Voideville 2 Emcee, co-Director Theatre for the New City
Two by Tavel Fidel Castro Theatre for the New City
Singin' in the ER[15] Amanda, director, playwright Theatre for the New City

Awards

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1972 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Performance in a Musical  La Bohemia[14] Won
2018 Acker Award Music Musical Career[25] Won

Ruby and the Rednecks discography

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Albums

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  • From the Wrong Side of Town (2004)[26]
  • Live Again! At CBGB's (2008)

Compilation albums

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  • Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond (2017)[27]

References

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  1. ^ a b "A Conservative Impulse in the New Rock Underground". Villagevoice.com. May 23, 2019.
  2. ^ "Ruby Lynn Reyner Heaven Wants Out (1970)". Howlarts.org. September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  3. ^ "Magic Tramps – Current Noise". Magictramps.com.
  4. ^ "Singin' in the E.R. (Closed October 13, 2019) | New York City | reviews, cast and info | TheaterMania". Theatermania.com. March 14, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Ruby Lynn Reyner (1948–2024)". The LGBTQ History Project. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Ruby Lynn Reyner". Primary Stages Off-Center. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  7. ^ "Alumni Graduation Archive – The American Academy of Dramatic Arts". Aada.edu.
  8. ^ "Dr. Franklin Reyner, MD – Rockville Centre, NY | Obstetrics & Gynecology on Doximity". Doximity.
  9. ^ Weber, Bruce (August 11, 2016). "John Vaccaro, Whose Playhouse of the Ridiculous Gave Anarchy a Stage, Dies at 86". The New York Times.
  10. ^ a b "John Vaccaro and the Playhouse of the Ridiculous". Travsd.wordpress.com. May 7, 2017.
  11. ^ "Warholstars News Archive July 2008". Warholstars.org.
  12. ^ "John Vaccaro and the Playhouse of the Ridiculous". Travsd.wordpress.com. May 7, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  13. ^ Highberger, Craig B. (November 24, 2015). Superstar in a Housedress: The Life and Legend of Jackie Curtis. Open Road Media. ISBN 978-1-5040-2508-9 – via Google Books.
  14. ^ a b c "Ruby Lynn Reyner". Playbill.
  15. ^ a b "Theater for the New City Stages World Premiere of SINGIN' IN THE E.R." BroadwayWorld.com.
  16. ^ "People". Dsps.lib.uiowa.edu. August 14, 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Heaven Wants Out". IMDb.com.
  18. ^ Koehler, Robert (July 8, 2008). "Finishing Heaven". Variety.com.
  19. ^ Kurutz, Steven (September 30, 2009). "HBO Documentary Follows a Scorsese Protege's 37-Year Quest to Complete His Film". Blogs.wsj.com.
  20. ^ "Altered States: Robert Frank Uncovered America — And Robert Frank". Villagevoice.com. August 2, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  21. ^ "About Me: A Musical". IMDb.com.
  22. ^ "Finishing Heaven". IMDb.com.
  23. ^ "Beautiful Darling". IMDb.com.
  24. ^ "Generation Um..." IMDb.com.
  25. ^ "2018 Acker Awards" (PDF). Nyackerawards.info. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  26. ^ "Ruby & The Rednecks – From the Wrong Side of Town". Daddykool.com.
  27. ^ "Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond". Jungle-records.net.
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