Lonny Chapman(1920-2007)

A memorial was held for Lonny on December 4, 2007, at his Group Repertory Theatre in North Hollywood. Among those in attendance were actress Barbara Bain, director Mark Rydell, actor Jim Antonio and his brother, actor/director Lou Antonio. Sean Penn and Jennifer Tilly, plus nonagenarians Karl Malden and R.G. Armstrong gave their respective tributes via written notes of appreciation.

The theatre is a place of sharing. At its best, it is audience, play and actor participating at the same given moment in an experience. The theatre is unique in that respect. All three of the elements above must be involved for this to come about. One of them, by itself, cannot exist. So we are dependent upon each other; we must share the experience.