PROVIDENCE HOLLANDER (9 May 1926 � 10 September 2010) was an actress and singer best known for her emotional solo performances of “Marieke� and “Old Folks.�
Hollander was an original cast member of Ray Shepardson’s production of “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.� The show, which opened in 1973 in the lobby of the State Theatre, was intended to run for just two weeks but continued through 1975. Its 522-performance run was the longest theatrical run in Cleveland’s history to that point. Its production is credited as a major factor in the revitalization of PLAYHOUSE SQUARE. She was known during the production of “Jacques Brel� for her “huge voice,� her lively cast parties, and her ability to ad-lib her way through missed lines.
As a member of the Kenley Players, Hollander performed on stages throughout Ohio. Her memorable productions included playing Meg Boyd in “Damn Yankees,� alongside Vincent Price (Mr. Applegate), “Cabaret� with Billy Crystal, “The Man Who Came to Dinner� opposite Tony Randall, and two performances of “Fiddler on the Roof,� one with William Conrad, the other with Ed Ames.
In 1980, Hollander appeared as Soubrette in the romance film “Those Lips, Those Eyes,� which starred Frank Langella, Tom Hulce, and Jerry Stiller.
Hollander was married to I. Bernard Hollander, with whom she had two daughters and two grandchildren.