Riggs' death leaves a huge theater void

I met Syd Riggs only once, a couple of years ago in a crowded Capitol Theatre lobby during a stop by the national tour of "The Music Man." Riggs' daughter and son-in-law, Adrian and T.J. Young, were company members.

Syd, who was outgoing, energetic and very passionate about theater, died last week from a blood clot that had formed following surgery for a broken foot. She was 60.

Her death came after a trip to St. George a week ago, where she was checking out T.J.'s performance as the title character in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and studying Tuacahn Amphitheater's costuming for Disney's "Beauty and the Beast."

Within 24 hours, Hale Center Theater Orem — where Riggs had just finished directing "Brigadoon" — held a standing-room-only memorial service, which, T.J. said, "was more like (an LDS Church) testimony meeting."

Riggs hadn't done a lot theatrically in Salt Lake City, but she was well known as a dynamic force in Utah County.

Already this year she had directed three productions back-to-back at HCT-Orem — including "Brigadoon" while she was in a wheelchair. She had been hired to direct "Beauty and the Beast" for HCTO as well.

Jerry Elison, one of her longtime colleagues at Orem High School (she had talked him into playing Mr. Lundy in "Brigadoon"), said Riggs broke her foot in April during a visit to New York City. (T.J. said she had stumbled on a curb, but she insisted it was only a slight sprain.

Elison and others tried to get Riggs to see a doctor when the foot didn't heal. Reluctantly, she went to a doctor and was told it required immediate constructive surgery. "She chose this vibrant, fluorescent pink cast," said T.J., "and ended up in a wheelchair."

She finished directing "Brigadoon," then directed "The Foreigner" for some friends who had recently taken over the Playmill Theatre in West Yellowstone, Mont. Then she went to St. George, where she and her husband, Dennis, celebrated their 35th anniversary.

"We talked about 'Joseph' on a spiritual level," said T.J., "and Syd spoke openly and frankly about the gospel and how important it is in our lives."

Many in the Utah County theater community have commented on Riggs' immense legacy. "Her influence was infinite," said T.J.

Anne Swenson, a co-owner of Hale Center Theater Orem, said Orem High School was literally turned into a performing-arts high school after Riggs became involved. "Kids went to school there to be groomed by Syd and go on from there."