Kentucky has lost a guiding spirit in its theater community with the passing of Holly Henson, the Executive Artistic Director of Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, Kentucky. She passed away Sunday evening at her home adjacent to the theater, after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
Holly Henson started her career in show business by performing fairy tale songs and dances on a rickety plywood stage that she and her brothers had built beside the family garage. Performing was second nature to Holly as her father was Colonel Eben Henson, the founder of Pioneer Playhouse, a renowned summerstock theater. Before Holly was a teenager she had graduated to performing alongside seasoned New York professionals on her father’s stage.
Holly continued her theater education at Stephens College in Missouri and the Drama Studio of London. She lived in Los Angeles for a number of years, where she appeared in several films. She truly hit her stride when she signed up for a comedy class advertised in the LA Weekly. That class led to a comedy career that took Holly into comedy clubs across America and Canada performing stand-up.
In fact it was Holly’s comedy career that lead to a marriage proposal. When she showed up two hours late for a meeting with comedy talent agent Tom Hansen, he declined to meet with her. But some time later Tom caught Holly’s act and fell in love, and they performed together in a loving marriage of 20 years.
When Holly’s father, known locally as The Colonel, passed away in 2005, Holly returned to Kentucky and took over the vigorous leadership of Pioneer Playhouse with her often stated motto of “changing the world one outdoor theater at a time.”
She authored the historical play The Infamous Ephraim, about a legendary Kentucky doctor, that was the hit of the 2009 season. Under her visionary and demanding leadership, Pioneer Playhouse increased audience attendance and initiated several challenging outreach programs, including a student-in-the-arts program and an innovative prison program that brought an arts experience to the incarcerated.
Holly is survived by her husband Tom Hansen; her Mother Charlotte Henson; her brother Eben Henson, a graphic artist; her brother’s Robby Henson, a film director;.and her sister Heather Henson Ungs,a book author.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Pioneer Playhouse, 840 Stanford Rd, Danville, Kentucky, 40422.
This is such a shock!!!!!!! Holly & her entire family was such a big part of my childhood. I know she will be missed by many..
We were so very saddened to receive the telephone call last evening, from our son, Chris, to hear of the news of Holly’s passing. Holly’s work and legacy is that she used the talents and gifts she was blessed with to their full measure. The results of her work brought joy to all who enjoy the arts and need refreshment from their day to day lives. Concerning the work being done in her prison ministry, we pray her vision and the seeds she has planted will continue to grow and serve as a catalyst to turn lives around. Our sincerest condolences go out to the “Pioneer Playhouse” family, and in particular, her immediate family and to her loving husband, Tom. You will all be in our prayers as, with heavy hearts, you go about the hard work of preparing for the opening of your first show. And we know you will do what you need to do, because Holly would have it no other way. May God bring you comfort and peace during your time of grief and be your strength to carry on with the spirit of Holly’s love and vision for the Playhouse.
Greg and Karen Kateff
Holly,
God bless you. You really stepped up to the
plate and took your illness on as you did
everything in life.
I had the pleasure of knowing and working
(and booking you) as a stand-up comedian.
You were always bright, funny easy to work with and on time!
I had the pleasure of working for you when you booked my one man show into the legendary Pioneer Playhouse, which met a lot to me because I am from Kentucky!
You were a true pro as a producer, a word here a word there a suggestion, and you knew what you had booked and were solid with the choice. What wonderful memories of you and Tom and your Mother Charlette…
You and Tom had a beatiful love story, and
what a great couple …I can’t tell you how sad this knowing Tom’s love, and the love of you whom lifes you touched. You were “theater” and total theater, doing everything…with your gentle wish loving ways. God bless you …you are an inspirtation to us in life, the way you fought your battles, developed you art and made the world a better place, with a little more laughter and love. You will be missed!
We were deeply saddened to learn of Holly’s passing. When her father first passed away we wondered who would take the reins of this theatrical landmark, and when Holly took over we were pleasantly surprised to find that her fathers spirit lived on in her.
Her talent and hope for the future was clear the evening that we enjoyed “The Infamous Ephriam” as she smiled and denounced her battle with cancer.
They say nothing lasts forever, but the memory of her and her talents will last us a life time.
We hope that their legacy and The Pioneer Playhouse will live on for generations to come.
We mourn with your family at your passing, Holly. The stage will not be the same without your enthusiastic and comedic introductions before each performance. Your smiling face always seemed to light-up the evening and you will be missed by the local community as well as the artistic community that you so aptly represented.
Thank You Holly for your successful efforts to enrich Danville with truly superior performances by outstanding/dedicated actors and directors. The Playhouse will live on in no small part to your tireless efforts. I am certain that your Dad approved and is so happy to welcome you Home with him now. Farewell… Ms Henson
Holly Henson
What a bright light in the theatre world.
You will be so missed. Thank you Holly for all that you have given to so many.
Sending love and prayers to the Henson family.
Don Hill
Los Angeles
My sincerest sympathies to the whole Henson family.
Have followed the successes of Pioneer Playhouse for years.
Hoping that your memories of Holly will always warm your hearts,
and make you smile.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in Kentucky.
Susie Tomasovic