In Dearest Memory of Lucianne Reichert

With heavy hearts, we recount joyful memories of Lucianne Reichert, one of Yorkshire Playhouse’s cherished volunteers. A book could be filled with stories of her Playhouse adventures. Here are just a few of them. 

Karla Ott describes Lucianne as always smiling, fiercely loyal, and persistent. “She delivered a Hyacinth plant to the hospital when Henry was born,” Karla says. “It smelled delightful!” When it came to giving advice, Lucianne told Karla, "Don't worry! God gives amateur babies to amateur parents.”

Karla has a few more words she associates with Luciane: resourceful, talented, artistic, brilliant, generous, and “a good friend."

Don Keelan-White, another good friend of Lucianne’s, recounts his fond memories of both Lucianne and her husband, Bob. 

The story of Lucianne Reichert is a love story.

Lucianne was madly in love with her husband, Robert "Bob" Reichert. So, it was only logical that she would be there at his side when Bob became deeply involved with the fledgling organization Yorkshire Playhouse in its early days.

The naming of the Reichert Theatre was not only a symbol of Yorkshire Playhouse's appreciation for Bob's tireless devotion, but a symbol of Lucianne's commitment to honoring his name and her love for him in perpetuity.

Lucianne was as eccentric and idiosyncratic as she was resolute and unshakeable. One of the early productions of Yorkshire Playhouse was "The Wizard of Oz" which featured York Middle School students and staff, a production which I directed. Lucianne in her endless pursuit of the off-beat and quirky happened on to a unique costume design for the Tin Man--to be made exclusively of plastic milk cartons.Lucianne and I had several animated conversions over the matter, but eventually I had to explain that the style of the milk bottles simply was not compatible with the costumes that we were renting for the other characters in the show. Reluctantly accepting my decision but undeterred, Lucianne went ahead and made a Tin Man costume out of the plastic milk jugs she had collected just to prove to me that it could be done. There was never any doubt that Lucianne was fully capable of constructing that costume. I will never forget the sheepish expression on Lucianne's face when she showed me the costume. All I could do was smile and say, "Lucianne, you're amazing."

Now it seems that the Reichert Theatre can aptly be named for both of the Reicherts--Bob and Lucianne. They were pretty amazing people--both of them.

According to Barry Redfern, the success of the Yorkshire Playhouse in the 1970s was largely thanks to the efforts of the Reicherts. In remembering Lucianne, Barry states, “You never were at a production where she wasn’t there, making sure everything was run correctly.” 

Lucianne was a fierce supporter of the Yorkshire Playhouse. Without her passion for keeping the arts alive and generous contributions, the playhouse wouldn't be what it is today. Her work will be remembered for many years to come.