IN MEMORY OF ANN CRUMB 1950-2019
IN MEMORY OF ANN CRUMB 1950-2019
Ann Crumb, actress, musician, humanitarian, champion of the lost, and friend to all, died at age sixty-nine, surrounded by her family, friends, and beloved dogs. Although she was successful in every endeavor she attempted, she was humble and thankful for her talents and the opportunities that she had. Her qualities were many, but she treasured most her family, friends, and the animals that enlivened her life.
It was not the acclaim or awards, the accolades, or the praise that came as a natural reaction to her talents, that made Ann a success in life; it was her kindness. It would be easy to miss who she was as a person when one considers the amount and quality of her contribution to the Arts. Ann was not swayed by wealth or status. She was taught that hard work, in the service of the most valuable human endeavors, was the mark of true success in life.
Ann's early years in music were dedicated to the violin, at which she excelled from an early age, until a fall from a horse ended her hopes of a career as an instrumen- talist. But that tragedy did not stop her. She earned a degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Michigan, where she began her acting studies. After college she moved to New York, as many aspiring actresses do, to make a living while dreaming of greatness in the American theatre.
Ann starred as Rose Vibert in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ASPECTS OF LOVE, first in London’s West End and subsequently on Broadway. She received a Tony nomination for her performance in the title role in the musical version of ANNA KARENINA at Circle in the Square, and co-starred in the Off-Broadway musicals INSIDE OUT and JOHNNY GUITAR. In London, she starred as Louisa in the concert version of NINE and as Paula in THE GOODBYE GIRL. Her numerous regional appearances included EVITA (title role), SUNSET BOULEVARD (Norma Desmond), CHESS (Florence), MASTER CLASS (Maria Callas), SOUVENIR (Florence Foster Jenkins), OTHER DESERT CITIES (Silda), and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Maggie). During recent years, she sang vocal music composed by her father all over the world, and recorded his music for Bridge Records.
Throughout her life Ann was a tireless dog rescuer, saving hundreds of dogs from kill shelters, and spearheaded the effort to place dogs orphaned by Hurricane Katrina into homes all over the country. She founded The Rescue Express, placing more than 2500 abandoned animals in safe, secure, and loving homes. She considered this her life's work. She will be sorely missed.
It was not the acclaim or awards, the accolades, or the praise that came as a natural reaction to her talents, that made Ann a success in life; it was her kindness. It would be easy to miss who she was as a person when one considers the amount and quality of her contribution to the Arts. Ann was not swayed by wealth or status. She was taught that hard work, in the service of the most valuable human endeavors, was the mark of true success in life.
Ann's early years in music were dedicated to the violin, at which she excelled from an early age, until a fall from a horse ended her hopes of a career as an instrumen- talist. But that tragedy did not stop her. She earned a degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Michigan, where she began her acting studies. After college she moved to New York, as many aspiring actresses do, to make a living while dreaming of greatness in the American theatre.
Ann starred as Rose Vibert in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ASPECTS OF LOVE, first in London’s West End and subsequently on Broadway. She received a Tony nomination for her performance in the title role in the musical version of ANNA KARENINA at Circle in the Square, and co-starred in the Off-Broadway musicals INSIDE OUT and JOHNNY GUITAR. In London, she starred as Louisa in the concert version of NINE and as Paula in THE GOODBYE GIRL. Her numerous regional appearances included EVITA (title role), SUNSET BOULEVARD (Norma Desmond), CHESS (Florence), MASTER CLASS (Maria Callas), SOUVENIR (Florence Foster Jenkins), OTHER DESERT CITIES (Silda), and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Maggie). During recent years, she sang vocal music composed by her father all over the world, and recorded his music for Bridge Records.
Throughout her life Ann was a tireless dog rescuer, saving hundreds of dogs from kill shelters, and spearheaded the effort to place dogs orphaned by Hurricane Katrina into homes all over the country. She founded The Rescue Express, placing more than 2500 abandoned animals in safe, secure, and loving homes. She considered this her life's work. She will be sorely missed.
