Press Room
Photo Remembrances of Jim Schlader
James Schlader in the Internet Broadway Database

Obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle
Obituary in the Oakland Tribune/Contra Costa Times, etc. (Media News Group)

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H. James Schlader, 1914-2010
Producer of the Woodminster Summer Musicals
Broadway Actor, Vice President of Actors' Equity

(Oakland, CA, May 11, 2010) – The Woodminster Summer Musicals' Board, Staff, and Artists join the Schlader family in mourning the passing of H. James Schlader, 96. The Producer of Oakland's Woodminster Summer Musicals for their entire 43-year history, Schlader came to California in the 60's after a 20-year Broadway career that included being Vice President of Actors' Equity Association as well as performing in the original productions of a number of well-known musicals. Schlader died at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland on May 8, 2010, after having suffered a stroke two weeks earlier.

Jim Schlader and his wife, Harriet, founded Producers Associates, Inc. and began producing the Woodminster Summer Musicals in 1967. Over the last 43 years, Schlader has been responsible for the production of about 150 musicals and plays in Oakland's historic Woodminster Amphitheater. He spearheaded many improvements to the WPA-era facility in Joaquin Miller Park, including the seating which replaced the original benches, as well as the sound and lighting equipment that make evening performances possible.

Under Jim Schlader's leadership, the Woodminster Summer Musicals have provided employment for generations of professional actors and musicians, and priceless experience for over 3000 local aspiring actors who have worked and learned alongside professionals. Many hundreds of thousands of audience members have enjoyed Woodminster shows since 1967.

Until 2004, Schlader directed as well as produced all the Woodminster musicals. At age 90, he began to pass along Director duties to son Joel Schlader. At age 92, in 2006, Jim directed his last show, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Since then, he has remained active in casting and production, and was deeply involved in the ongoing casting process for the 2010 season. His quirky, humorous announcing style has been a hallmark of Woodminster performances for many years, and he is affectionately known to Woodminster audiences as the Voice of Woodminster.

Jim Schlader graduated from the Chicago Music College, now part of the University of Chicago, during World War II, trained as an opera singer. He was drafted into the military and sent to work for Curtiss-Wright, an airplane manufacturer, in Columbus, Ohio. After four years, the war ended and he was offered a job by the manufacturer, but instead he went to New York and performed for the Amato Opera Company, still in existence today in Greenwich Village. After a stint with New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse, he landed his first Broadway role, in "On The Town."

Schlader performed on Broadway for the next 20 years. He served as Vice President of Actors Equity when Ralph Bellamy was President, and sat on the Equity Council for many years. On Broadway, Jim appeared in the original productions of On The Town, Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, Hit the Trail, Plain and Fancy, The Most Happy Fella and The Music Man. He has also appeared at most major summer stock venues and in several national tours.

Jim Schlader is survived by Harriet, his wife of over 50 years, and four children and their families: daughter Jody Jaron, her husband Steve and daughter Megan; son Kim, his wife Michelle and daughter Kristen; son Todd; and son Joel, his wife Anne and children Madison and Peyton. Jim is also survived by "honorary Schladers" Carl Danielsen, Susan Tilson, Ty Weichhart, and Chris Terrill.

The Woodminster Summer Musicals' 2010 season will open July 9 with Hairspray, followed by The Music Man in August and Paint Your Wagon in September. The Musicals are produced in partnership with the Oakland Park and Rec Department, and performances are under the stars at Woodminster Amphitheater, an open-air performance facility in Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland Hills. The park's spectacular views and serene woodsy environment made it the perfect setting for the amphitheater, cascades, reflecting pool, and paths that were originally built as a WPA project in 1939-40. For many East Bay families, it is a long-standing summer tradition to enjoy a picnic in the park and then see a musical at Woodminster. The musicals will continue to be produced by the same artistic and business staff, advised by a long-standing Board of Directors. For more information, visit www.woodminster.com.

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Press contact: Kathy Kahn, woodminsterpr@yahoo.com, 510-418-8523
Theater contact: Harriet Schlader, harriet@woodminster.com, 510-531-9597

Condolences may be sent to the Schlader family through the Woodminster Summer Musicals, P.O. Box 13008, Oakland, CA 94661.

Jim Schlader
January 12, 1914 – May 8, 2010

2009, at a rehearsal for Brigadoon

2004, at his 90th birthday party

Performing on Broadway in 1954 in The Girl In Pink Tights