Ruby Lynn Reyner
{{Short description|American singer and songwriter (1948–2024)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Ruby Lynn Reyner Warhol Superstars.jpg
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Lynn Reyner
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1948|1|27|mf=y}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|3|10|1948|1|27|mf=y}}
| death_place = New York City, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist |Glam rock}}
| occupation = {{hlist |Singer|songwriter|playwright|actress}}
| years_active = 1967–2024
| label = Poo Poo Plater
| associated_acts = {{hlist |Ruby and the Rednecks|Playhouse of the Ridiculous|Warhol Superstars}}
| website = {{URL|rubylynnreyner.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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2019/05/23/a-conservative-impulse-in-the-new-rock-underground/|title=A Conservative Impulse in the New Rock Underground |website=Villagevoice.com|date=May 23, 2019 }} Reyner also did film starring in Heaven Wants Out {{Cite web|url=https://www.howlarts.org/event/ruby-lynn-reyner-heaven-wants-out-1970/|title=Ruby Lynn Reyner Heaven Wants Out (1970)|website=Howlarts.org|date=September 14, 2016 |accessdate=September 18, 2020}} 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{{Cite web|url=http://www.magictramps.com/pages/currentnoise.htm|title=Magic Tramps – Current Noise|website=Magictramps.com}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatermania.com/shows/new-york-city-theater/singin-in-the-er_331188|title=Singin' in the E.R. (Closed October 13, 2019) | New York City | reviews, cast and info | TheaterMania|website=Theatermania.com|date=March 14, 2023 }}
Early life and career
Born Lynn Reyner in Brooklyn, New York City on January 27, 1948,{{cite web |title=Ruby Lynn Reyner (1948–2024) |url=https://www.lgbtqhp.org/post/ruby-lynn-reyner-obituary |website=The LGBTQ History Project |access-date=28 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Ruby Lynn Reyner |url=https://primarystagesoffcenter.org/interviews/p-t/ruby-lynn-reyner.html |website=Primary Stages Off-Center |access-date=28 October 2024}} to Dr. Franklin Cooper Reyner and actress Rubye Reyner{{Cite web|url=https://www.aada.edu/alumni-graduation-archive/#search:Rubye+Meyers|title=Alumni Graduation Archive – The American Academy of Dramatic Arts|website=Aada.edu}} (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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.doximity.com/pub/franklin-reyner-md|title=Dr. Franklin Reyner, MD – Rockville Centre, NY | Obstetrics & Gynecology on Doximity|website=Doximity}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/theater/john-vaccaro-iconoclastic-director-dies-at-86.html|title=John Vaccaro, Whose Playhouse of the Ridiculous Gave Anarchy a Stage, Dies at 86|first=Bruce|last=Weber|date=August 11, 2016|website=The New York Times}}
Theatre
File:Ruby Lynn Reyner.jpg Ruby Lynn Reyner performed with Playhouse of the Ridiculous{{Cite web|url=https://travsd.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/john-vaccaro-and-the-playhouse-of-the-ridiculous/|title=John Vaccaro and the Playhouse of the Ridiculous|website=Travsd.wordpress.com|date=May 7, 2017}} and was added to the cast of Drag Queens and Warhol superstars.{{Cite web|url=https://warholstars.org/warholjulyB2008.html|title=Warholstars News Archive July 2008|website=Warholstars.org}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://travsd.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/john-vaccaro-and-the-playhouse-of-the-ridiculous/|title=John Vaccaro and the Playhouse of the Ridiculous|website=Travsd.wordpress.com|date=May 7, 2017|accessdate=September 18, 2020}}
She remained with the Playhouse for many years starring in Heaven Grand in Amber Orbit by Jackie Curtis,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMizCgAAQBAJ&q=heaven+grant+ruby+lynn&pg=PT113|title=Superstar in a Housedress: The Life and Legend of Jackie Curtis|first=Craig B.|last=Highberger|date=November 24, 2015|publisher=Open Road Media|isbn=978-1-5040-2508-9|via=Google Books}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/person/ruby-lynn-reyner-vault-0000110466|title=Ruby Lynn Reyner|website=Playbill}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/Theater-for-the-New-City-Stages-World-Premiere-of-SINGIN-IN-THE-ER-20190826|title=Theater for the New City Stages World Premiere of SINGIN' IN THE E.R.|author=|website=BroadwayWorld.com}}
Music
File:Ruby Lynn Reyner NYC.jpgReyner 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.{{Cite web|url=https://dsps.lib.uiowa.edu/downtownpopunderground/people/|title=People|website=Dsps.lib.uiowa.edu|date=August 14, 2018}} 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."
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
Reyner starred in Heaven Wants Out in 1970. It features Holly Woodlawn, Mary Woronov, Ondine and the photographer Francesco Scavullo.{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1529270/|title=Heaven Wants Out|website=IMDb.com}}
Heaven Wants Out remained on the shelf incomplete until the 2000s when the film's history was told by the documentary Finishing Heaven,{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/reviews/finishing-heaven-1200508478/|title=Finishing Heaven|first1=Robert|last1=Koehler|website=Variety.com|date=July 8, 2008}} appearing on HBO in 2008.{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/09/30/hbo-documentary-follows-a-scorsese-proteges-35-year-quest-to-complete-his-film/|title=HBO Documentary Follows a Scorsese Protege's 37-Year Quest to Complete His Film|first=Steven|last=Kurutz|website=Blogs.wsj.com|date=September 30, 2009}}
Reyner also had the lead role in 1971's About Me: A Musical by Robert Frank.{{Cite web|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2016/08/02/altered-states-robert-frank-uncovered-america-and-robert-frank/|title=Altered States: Robert Frank Uncovered America — And Robert Frank |website=Villagevoice.com|date=August 2, 2016 |accessdate=September 18, 2020}} Other appearances include Beautiful Darling and Generation Um.
Death
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Director |
|---|
| 1967
| Four Stars (aka ****) | Ruby |
| 1971
| About Me: A Musical {{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066741/|title=About Me: A Musical|website=IMDb.com}} | Robert Frank |
| 2002
| Herself |
| 2008
| Finishing Heaven{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1420542/|title=Finishing Heaven|website=IMDb.com}} | Herself | Mark Mann |
| 2009
| Heaven | Robert Feinberg |
| 2010
| Beautiful Darling{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0960730/|title=Beautiful Darling|website=IMDb.com}} | Herself | James Rasin |
| 2012
| Generation Um{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1718158/|title=Generation Um...|website=IMDb.com}} | Posse Queen | Mark Mann |
Broadway
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Theater |
|---|
| 1972
| Mary, Queen of Scotts |
| 1971
| Delicate Champions | Princess Freafreara |
Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Title
! Role ! class="unsortable"| Theater |
|---|
| Conquest of the Universe
| Alice, the Queen of the Universe |
| Lady Godiva
| Lady Godiva |
| Life of Juanita Castro
| Fidel Castro |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Andy Milligan Cinderella'85
| Cinderella |
| 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
| Amanda, director, playwright | Theatre for the New City |
Awards
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972
| Outstanding Performance in a Musical | {{won}} | ||||
| 2018
| Acker Award | Music | {{won}} |
Ruby and the Rednecks discography
= Albums =
- From the Wrong Side of Town (2004){{Cite web|url=https://daddykool.com/UPC/616892542728|title=Ruby & The Rednecks – From the Wrong Side of Town |website=Daddykool.com}}
- Live Again! At CBGB's (2008)
= Compilation albums =
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.rubylynnreyner.com/|Official Ruby Lynn Reyner website}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reyner, Ruby}}
Category:People associated with The Factory
Category:20th-century American actresses
Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters
Category:20th-century American women singers
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:Actresses from Brooklyn
Category:American women rock singers
Category:American women singer-songwriters
Category:American film actresses
Category:American rock songwriters
Category:American television actresses
Category:American voice actresses
Category:Singers from New York City