Jane Lillig

Jane Lillig
Born
Jane Frances Lillig

December 19, 1923
Hollywood, California, U.S.
DiedMarch 8, 1986 (aged 62)
EducationPasadena Junior College
OccupationActress
Years active25
Spouse(s)Joseph M. Albrecht
(m. 1964; died 1972)

Jane Frances Lillig[1] (December 19, 1923 – March 8, 1986) was an American stage actress and comedienne, often likened to Edna May Oliver, perhaps best remembered for her featured role in The Music Man.[2][3][4]

Early life and career

Born Jane Frances Lillig on December 19, 1923,[5][6][7][8] Lillig was a native of Hollywood, California, raised in Pasadena and Altadena.[5] The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Gillig,[1][9] she attended Eliot Junior High School and Pasadena Junior College.[5][10] In 1942, she portrayed Prince Hamlet, as one of the three students representing the College at the 22nd annual Shakespeare Festival held at Occidental College.[11] In November of that year, Gillig won praise for her "clearcut characterization" of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in the school's production of Helen Jerome's adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.[12]

By the time Lillig completed her education in Pasadena, her family had relocated to Chicago, where, as of no later than November 1945, Jane began her long association with the city's Uptown Players,[13][14][15] and, in particular, the British-born actor/director Geoffrey Gardner.[16]

In 1959, minus fanfare, Lillig earned her first two screen credits, appearing in one episode each of seasons 6 and 7 of the anthology series, U.S. Steel Hour. The former aired on February 11, with Lillig as the "second maiden lady" in Morton Wishengrad's adaptation of the Tolstoy novella, Family Happiness, directed by Sidney Lumet;[17][18][19] the latter, airing September 19, was an original—if somewhat derivative–suspense outing entitled "The Hours Before Dawn", with Lillig—as Miss Hooper[20]—rounding out a cast headed by Teresa Wright, Mark Richman, and Colleen Dewhurst, which, according to critic Steven H. Scheuer, "struggles valiantly with this slightly muddled horror story".[21]

In the interim between her screen debut and its successor, Lillig delivered a well-received turn as the "stuffy Britisher" Lady Beekman in a stock company revival of Anita Loos' Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,[22] a performance dubbed "nothing short of hysterically funny" by The Morning Call.[23] Reviewing the same performance, Bergen Evening Record critic G. J. Hekker pairs Lillig and fellow stage veteran Dossie Hollingsworth as the two "gems in [an otherwise] drab production".[24] Moreover, he observes, so ironclad is Lillig's grasp of character and so exemplary her comic deportment that, amidst an atypically flub-riddled opening night performance, the one hitch directly attributable to Lillig produces the evening's most memorable moment (and one which, Hecker adds, only half facetiously, the production would do well to reenact on a nightly basis).

As Lady Phyllis Beekman, she has a firm grasp on the character and creates a perfect vignette. Miss Lillig's performance withstood the onslaught of an unusually heavy amount of opening night flubs. The common ones, answering the telephone without a ring, will be corrected before tonight's performance. One mishap, which can be directly credited to Miss Lillig, should be used as part of the production. She pushed a fellow actor down into a chair so hard it cracked under and he went through the seat. And still, Miss Lillig didn't crack a smile. Bravo, Miss Lillig![24]

Acclaim for her stage portrayal of Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in Meredith Willson's The Music Man[2][25]—and, in particular, the show's two-week-long "triumphant return" to Cleveland, commencing October 30, 1961[26]—led directly to what appears to be Lillig's only TV talk show appearance,[a] when she was the featured guest—"Actress Jane Lillig"—on the November 9 episode of Ten O'Clock Talk on WEWS-TV.[27]

In the late 1970s, Lillig appeared in at least two Masquers Club productions, beginning in 1976 with the original comic operetta, Dear Little Euphoria or the Schlepping Prince, and returning three years later in the Noël Coward comedy, Present Laughter.[28][29] Though neither was widely seen, much less reviewed, they did win the actress at least one new fan, namely LA Times theater critic Sondra Lowell, who dubbed Lillig's performance as Euphoria's Faerie Queen "outrageously good".[28][29]

Personal life and death

On August 17, 1964, Lillig married Joseph Albrecht of Kensington, Maryland.[1]

Predeceased by her husband, Lillig died on March 8, 1986, at age 62.

Filmography

  • United States Steel Hour
    • Ep. "Family Happiness" (1959) – Second Maiden Lady[17]
    • Ep. "The Hours Before Dawn" (1959) – Mrs. Hooper[20]
  • 10 O'Clock Club
    • Ep. (1961) – Herself[27]
  • McClain's Law
    • Ep. "A Time of Peril" (1981) – Mrs. Anderson (uncredited)
  • Frances (1982) – Mental Patient[30]
  • Lies (TV movie, 1983) – Landlady[31][32]
  • The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins (1984) – Elderly lady (credited but does not appear)[b]

Notes

  1. ^ Not to mention what is almost certainly the longest—if not the only—interview ever conducted with this much-praised performer.
  2. ^ Lillig clearly is credited at the end of the film[33] (indeed, this film's closing credit crawl includes no one but bit players, and it is only they who are fully credited—i.e. credits which identify both actor and character portrayed), and yet no one remotely resembling Lillig—whose 1983 incarnation can, for the sake of comparison, as of September 2025, easily be viewed online[32]—appears to have been given even the most fleeting walk-on in this film, much less a single word of dialogue; nor, for that matter, does any female character who could reasonably be described as "elderly".

References

  1. ^ a b c "Marriages". Variety. September 23, 1964. p. 103. ProQuest 962998144. Jane Lillig to Joseph Albrecht, Kensington, Md., Aug. 17. Bride's an actress.
  2. ^ a b "Music Woman". Pasadena Independent. June 27, 1960. p. 16.
  3. ^ Peck, Doug (August 13, 1960). "Big Musical Opens: Broadway's Brassy Music Man". The Province. p. 16. "JANE LILLIG, CLIFF HALL ... their town gets taken."
  4. ^ "'Music Man' Has Record Run; ". The Boston Globe. p. 55.
  5. ^ a b c "Local Girl in Cast of 'Music Man'". Hollywood Citizen-News. June 21, 1960. p. 13. "Jane Lillig, appearing 'The Music Man' at the Biltmore Theater, [...] Hollywood-born, she grew up in Pasadena and Altadena, and began acting in school productions at Eliot Jr. High School and Pasadena Junior College."
  6. ^ "'Passports' Received by Youngsters (Continued from Page 2); Eliot Graduates". February 8, 1941. p. 3. "Patricia Ann Kraft, Greta Mary Lansdell, Roxie Lazarian, William Lee, Jane Frances Lillig,"
  7. ^ "Many Happy Returns: Today's Birthdays". The Pasadena Post. December 19, 1928. p. 15. "Joyce Church, 677 Del Monte street–3 years. Barbara Maggerell, 777 Cypress, Jane Frances Lillig, 1094 Palm avenue."
  8. ^ "Charges Against Pair Dismissed by Court". Holywood Citizen-News. July 7, 1943. p. 7. "Because of insufficient evidence contributing to the delinquency of minors against David M. Browne, 23, manager of the Playmakers' Theater, Pasadena, and his secretary, Jane Frances Lillig, 19, were dismissed by Superior Judge Georgia D. Bullock."
  9. ^ "Obituaries: John G. Lillig". Chicago Tribune. September 23, 1966. Sec. 2A, p. 6.
  10. ^ Pam, Jerry (June 27, 1960). "Screen – Drama – Music: Actress Trained in Calif. Schools". Valley Times. p. 6. ""
  11. ^ "Pasadeneans to Vie in Speech Test". Pasadena Star-News. April 21, 1942. p. 16.
  12. ^ "Students Praised for Stage Play". Pasadena Star-News. November 12, 1942. p. 3.
  13. ^ "The Uptown Players: November Productions; ". The Liberalist. November 1946. p. 22. "'THE VALIANT' by Robert Middlemass and Hall Worthyhall; Directed by Ed Trust and “THE, CHEER LEADER” by Len D. Hollister; Directed by Jane Lillig. Admission 60c."
  14. ^ "Uptown Actors to Give Dramas at Lake Geneva". Chicago Tribune. Jul 20, 1947. pt. 3, p. 4. "Members of Uptown Players group, 1642 N. Clark st., will begin their second month of summer theater with a presentation of 'The Foxes' at 8:15 p. m. [... ] Plays to be performed later are 'Blithe Spirit,' Aug. 8 thru 11; 'Angel Street,' Aug. 15 thru 18; 'Junior Miss,' Aug. 22 thru 25, and 'Hand in Glove,' Aug. 29 thru Sept. 1."
  15. ^ Smalley, Ethel Wells (May 1955). "The Radio Mail Bag". The Liberalist. p. 18. "Those who attended the presentation of ‘“The Boy With a Cart” by the Chicago Equity Library Theatre, given in our church on Tuesday evening of the Holy Week were well repaid for their attendance. It is the story of Cuthman, Saint of Sussex, as set down by Christopher Fry, one of the foremost contemporary poets. Dr. Bradley [...] praised very highly the artistry of young John Brinkley, Jr., who played Cuthman, and was happy to see again on our stage, Jane Lillig, so long associated with Jimmie and the Uptown Players. The play was excellently done by every one of the players and the Professional and Business Woman’s Club was proud to have sponsored this presentation."
  16. ^ Carison, Phyllis (October 27, 1955). "Richmond Community News: Reception for Teachers". The McHenry Plaindealer. p. 12. "Approximately 75 people listened to a very interesting program presented by Mr. Geoffrey Lardner and his partner, Jane Lillig. They acted three scenes from "Four Poster." The audience thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of Mr. Lardner and Miss Lillig. Geoffrey Lardner was originally from England and has been on the stage for many years. He has played for women's clubs around the country." See also:
    • "Missouri Ceremony". The Leader-Post. September 23, 1953. p. 6. "Given in marriage by Geoffrey Lardner of Chicago [...] Miss Jane Lillig of Chicago was bridal attendant"
  17. ^ a b "Gloria Vanderbilt in 'Family Happiness'". The Times-Mail. February 7, 1959. p. 11. "The cast includes Doreen Lang as Katya, Freida Altman as Hatyana Semenovna, Marcel Hillaire as the hairdresser, Dorothy Sands as the first maiden lady and Jane Lillig as the second 'maiden lady."
  18. ^ "Radio and Television Highlights". Rome Daily Sentinel. February 11, 1959. p. 13.
  19. ^ "Talent Show Sheet and Script Report - February 9 - February 15". Ross Reports on Television. February 9, 1959. p. 6-B
  20. ^ a b "Viewers Speak: Colleen Dewhurst Unmasked". The Pittsburgh Press. October 1, 1959. p. 57. "Will you please tell me the name of the woman who played the next door neighbor on the U.S. Steel Hour of Sept. 23, 'The Hours Before Dawn'? [...] Reply: There are two neighbor women in that Steel Hour drama. Mrs. Philips played by Leona Powers and Mrs. Hooper played by Jane Lillig."
  21. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (September 23, 1959). "The TV Key". Tulsa World. p. 36.
  22. ^ "Preference for 'Blondes' gets another incentive". The Newark Star Ledger. July 8, 1959. p. 20.
  23. ^ "'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' Continues At Meadowbrook". The Morning Call Weekend Magazine. July 18, 1959. p. 7. "Comedienne Jane Lillig is nothing short of hysterically funny with her interpretation of a stuffy Britisher, Lady Beekman. Miss Lillig recently appeared on the U. S. Steel Hour television program which may be one reason why she's so adept at stealing scenes."
  24. ^ a b *Hekker, Gerard J. (July 8, 1959). "Star's Job Provides Lift to 'Gentlemen'; Dossie Hollingsworth and Jane Lillig Prove Gems in Drab Production". Bergen Evening Record. p. 41. "With Miss Lillig you have a fine example of good comedy acting. As Lady Phyllis Beekman, she has a firm grasp on the character and creates a perfect vignette. Miss Lillig's performance withstood the onslaught of an unusually heavy amount of opening night flubs. The common ones, answering the telephone without a ring, will be corrected before tonight's performance. One mishap, which can be directly credited to Miss Lillig, should be used as part of the production. She pushed a fellow actor down into a chair so hard it cracked under and he went through the seat. And still, Miss Lillig didn't crack a smile. Bravo, Miss Lillig!"
  25. ^ Cohen, Harold (March 28, 1961). "Nixon's 'Music Man' Is a Happy Show; Meredith Wilson's Musical About Iowa In 1912 Has That Old Glow". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 13. "Elsewhere in the big company, the standard is gold. Mayor Shinn, of the monumental malapropisms, is played with comic powerdrive by Mr. Cliff Hall, his wife is wondrously funny in Miss Jane Lillig's hands."
  26. ^ "Triumphant Return to Cleveland: America's Happiest Musical". The Cleveland Plain Dealer. October 15, 1961. p. 3-G.
  27. ^ a b "Television Selections". The Cleveland Plain Dealer. November 9, 1961. p. 49. "1 P.M., 10 O'CLOCK CLUB, CH. 5--Actress Jane Lillig, The Tunesmen, Dr. John Davis, George Barrif, automobile designer."
  28. ^ a b Lowell, Sondra (February 14, 1976). "Stage Beat: Sam Shepard's Wild West Show". Los Angeles Times. pt. IV, p. 24. "Between the feasting and the drinking is 'Dear Little Euphoria or the Schlepping Prince.' What this operetta lacks in other areas, it makes up for in silliness. Considering that half the characters are "Faeries" (Jane Lillig is outrageously good as their queen) and that most of the rest hope to be king of Euphoria, it might be well suited to an audience of children. Robin Tucker's music is sweet, and if you've had enough wine at dinner, the lack of depth shouldn't bother you at all."
  29. ^ a b Lowell, Sondra (February 9, 1979). "Stage Beat: 'Ants,' 'God' at Shepard Workshop; 'Present Laughter' at Masquers". The Los Angeles Times. pt. IV, p. 22. "As the star, Joel Ashley is appropriately dramatic but doesn't show enough interest, even feigned interest, in anybody else to explain why they care for him so. Jane Illig's [sic] efficient secretary is the only portrayal with the appropriate style. As a strange young playwright, Ed Harris is whimsical, all right, but he'd be more effective if he'd chosen a more common kind of strangeness."
  30. ^ Shelley, Peter (2008). Frances Farmer: The Life and Films of a Troubled Star. Jefferson, NC: MacFarland & Company. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-7864-4745-9. "Teda Bracci, Jan Burrell, Flo di Re, Dodds Frank, Patricia Gaul, Robin Ginsburg, Pamela Gordon, Angelica Huston, Jamie Johnston, Ola Kaufman, Donna LaMana, Sharmagne Leland-St, John, Jane Lillig, Alexandra Melchi, Patricia Post, Zelda Rubinstein, Nina Schneider, Marlen Silvers, Vicki Williams, Susan Wolf (Hospital Sequence Mental Patients);"
  31. ^ BM (June 24, 2025). "Lies (1983) - American Drama / Thriller | Closing Credits". YouTube.
  32. ^ a b BM, op. cit., Landlady Scene
  33. ^ Reelblack One (February 27, 2021). "The Fantastic World of DC Collins (1984) | Gary Coleman Bernie Casey". YouTube.

Further reading

  • Hill, Lucienne (February 1960). "translation from the French". Theatre Arts. p. 71. "'The Fighting Cock' came to Broadway in December. Standing, from left: Arthur Treacher, Geoffrey Lumb, Jane Lillig, Rex Harrison, Natasha Parry. Seated: Gerald Hiken."
  • "Creative Arts: Billy Budd". The Franciscan. 1959. p. 109. "'Billy Budd,' Melville’s last masterpiece, opened in November. Dr. J. Fenton McKenna, head of the drama department, directed John Cretan, Stuart Gedes, Geoffrey Lardner, Gordon Townsend, and John Moskoff in the tragedy set stark against the forces of corruption, agony, and truth.
  • "LITTLE THEATER: Actors Back in School, Too". Oakland Tribune. September 20, 1959. p. 4-B. "San Francisco State College has announced the appointment of Geoffrey Lardner as instructor of the college's new evening workshop in acting techniques, to be held at the Downtown Center, 540 Powell St., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning Sept. 22. Lardner, who was born in England and got his first experience with the Birmingham Repertory Theater, has appeared professionally in New York, the Midwest, and was seen with the touring company of 'Inherit the Wind' at the Geary some three years ago."
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