Donald Richards (March 24, 1919 – September 26, 1953) was an American singer and actor. He is best known in his short career for having created the role of Woody Mahoney in ''
Finian's Rainbow
''Finian's Rainbow'' is a musical with a book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane, produced by Lee Sabinson. The original 1947 Broadway production ran for 725 performances, while a film version was re ...
''.
Richards was born in New York City on March 24, 1919, and attended Theodore Roosevelt High School there. He went on to attend Columbia University, and he often sang on radio stations in New York City while he was a student at both schools. Laszlo Halasz, conductor for New York's City Center Opera company, tutored Richards and advised him to aim for a career on stage.
Richards's ambition to sing opera was fulfilled when he had lead roles in the St. Louis Grand Opera's productions of ''Faust'' and ''Pagliacci''. However, after he was moved to the chorus he turned his focus to more commercial activities, with his first hotel date being a 35-week stay in St. Louis. He also sang in road companies of ''Folies Bergere'' and ''Streets of Paris'' and in night clubs in New York City.
Richards was drafted into the U. S. Army on December 8, 1941, and he sang in a service production of ''
Winged Victory
The ''Winged Victory of Samothrace'', or the ''Nike of Samothrace'', is a votive monument originally found on the island of Samothrace, north of the Aegean Sea. It is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture from the Hellenistic era, dating from the beg ...
'' for 22 months. He also made 1200 benefit performances for sick and wounded military personnel in hospitals. After his 1945 discharge, he performed in singing engagements for hotels in the Statler chain, including a nine-week stay in the Mayfair Room at the
Blackstone Hotel
The Blackstone Hotel is a historic 21-story hotel on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive in the Michigan Boulevard Historic District in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. Built between 1908 and 1910, it is on the Nation ...
in Chicago. There an aunt of
Burton Lane
Burton Lane ( Levy; February 2, 1912 – January 5, 1997) was an American composer and lyricist primarily known for his theatre and film scores. His most popular and successful works include '' Finian's Rainbow'' in 1947 and ''On a Clear Day You ...
, composer of the music for ''Finian's Rainbow'', saw his performance, leading to his role in that play. He also performed on Broadway in ''Winged Victory'' (1943) and ''Along Fifth Avenue'' (1949).
Richards died on September 26, 1953, in
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 24,958,
Music theater credits
*1943 ''
Winged Victory
The ''Winged Victory of Samothrace'', or the ''Nike of Samothrace'', is a votive monument originally found on the island of Samothrace, north of the Aegean Sea. It is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture from the Hellenistic era, dating from the beg ...
''
*1947 ''
Finian's Rainbow
''Finian's Rainbow'' is a musical with a book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane, produced by Lee Sabinson. The original 1947 Broadway production ran for 725 performances, while a film version was re ...