WESTFIELD: In the early morning of June 11, Anthony moved from this world to the next. Anthony was born in Seneca, SC, the first child of Douglas and Doris (Spurlock) Ridley. He grew up, primarily, in Spartanburg, SC where he attended Wofford College majoring in Biology with the intent of becoming a doctor. Going to the theatre in London during a study month abroad altered those plans and he returned to add English as a second major – the closest to drama available – and to act in every play possible. He moved, with his wife Pat Littlejohn, to New York City to train at the National Shakespeare Conservatory and pursue an acting career – a stern mistress that left them wanting different things from life and so they parted. Though visits were infrequent, gracious Pat remained a friend whom Anthony cherished.
In early 1982, he met Kathryn Graybill at the first rehearsal of a participatory production for children of Alice in Wonderland in which she played Alice and he the Mad Hatter (she the ingenue and he the comic – a casting pattern which continued for many years). They married, bought and renovated a “sweat equity” apartment, then moved to Dallas, TX and together completed Master of Fine Arts degrees at Southern Methodist University – she in acting and he in directing. While acting and directing in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, Anthony also served on the faculty of the University of Dallas as Director of Theatre.
After nine years in Dallas, they returned to New York, a base from which he acted and directed at theatres from Florida to Vermont to Texas. In the fall of 1999 he was hired to direct Julius Caesar at The Globe Theatre in Odessa, TX, where a newly invigorated Board of Trustees were looking for an Artistic Director to renew what had been the oldest Shakespeare Festival in the State. They liked him, and set out to hire him and fund the position. So in the fall of 2000, he and Kathryn moved to Odessa to direct, teach and manage this Elizabethan replica theatre’s community theatre season and the professional Southwest Shakespeare Festival, which opened in 2002. Though unexpected, Anthony grew to love and respect the many talented amateurs of all ages who invested their time and energy at The Globe and was truly grateful for the people, challenges and growth during those years. There he served as a deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, on the Board of Texas Nonprofit Theatres and, for his contributions to the arts in Odessa, he received the Heritage of Odessa’s Community Statesman Award.
In 2012, as health and stamina waned, Anthony left his position at the Globe and, through a series of events perceived as revealing the hand of God, moved to Westfield, MA. Anthony and Kathryn joined the First Congregational Church of Westfield where he served on the Membership and Christmas Concert committees. He was also a member of the Westfield Cultural Council and the Board of Young Singers of Greater Westfield.
Anthony was proud to be a member of Actors’ Equity Association, SAG/AFTRA and the Society of Directors and Choreographers (professional actors’ and directors unions). He loved Shakespeare and making people laugh, and excelled at both, playing virtually every Shakespearean comic character (and a few serious ones) in over 80 productions of 28 of Shakespeare’s plays.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Graybill, his sister Sheri Ridley-Smith and her partner Sheri Coleman, his brother Keith Ridley and his wife Betty Ann, his nephews and nieces Josh, Amanda, Summer, Alex and Chip, in-laws Sally Smith, Stephen and Louise Smith and nephews Benjamin and Daniel, Boogie and Echo (two cats he saved in their abandoned infancy (despite bad allergies)) and the many people he mentored as a teacher and during his years at The Globe.
A memorial celebration will be held Saturday, July 11, 11:00 a.m. at Westfield’s First Congregational Church. Donations in his name may be made to Young Singers of Greater Westfield, (27 Maple Terrace, Westfield, MA 01085), Heifer International or Habitat for Humanity.
“Good night sweet prince
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” Hamlet by William Shakespeare.
