Maybe you know more on McGavin connection

Plenty of people were no doubt surprised to learn that actor Darren McGavin, who died Feb. 25, was born right here in Spokane.

It’s true: McGavin was born here on May 7, 1922.

He had always been reticent to talk about his childhood, saying only that his parents divorced when he was young, he was brought up in Tacoma, his mother later “disappeared” and he ended up “living on the docks in Tacoma for weeks.”

He said he was sent to a school for delinquent boys and then the Jesse Dyslin Ranch for Boys in Tacoma. And that’s about all he had to say.

However, a little historical research sheds some light on his Spokane connections.

The Spokane City Directory of 1921 lists his parents, Reed (sometimes spelled Reid) D. Richardson and Grace McGavin, as living at 174 S. Browne St. Richardson is listed as a salesman for the E.W. Murray Lighting Co.

In 1922, they moved to 2938 N. Cook St. However, in 1923, the only listing is for Mrs. Reid Richardson at a new address on 10th Avenue.

In 1924, she, too, vanishes from the directory.

One scenario that might fit with these facts: His parents split soon after he was born, the father left town, and the mother (and, presumably, baby) left for Tacoma within a year.

Can anybody out there shed more light on this? Give me a call or drop me a line.

A Wasserstein moment

Playwright Wendy Wasserstein died of cancer last month, but here’s a chance to experience one of her best plays.

The Spokane Civic Theatre’s Reading Stage presents a reader’s version of “The Sisters Rosensweig” March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Civic’s Firth Chew Studio Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. (entrance off Dean).

Tickets are $7 at the door.

A concert of Caron

The music of Spokane classical composer Don Caron will be featured in a benefit concert for the Interfaith Council’s Environment Program on March 13.

Caron has written pieces for the Spokane Symphony, Zephyr and the Washington State Artist’s Trust, to name just a few. He is probably best known for his score to the 1999 feature film “The Basket,” which was filmed in the Inland Northwest.

He’s now the sound and music supervisor for North by Northwest, the local film production company.

The concert will feature the Spokane Youth Orchestra, soprano Ann Fennessy, pianist Kendall Feeney and other local musicians.

It’s at The Met, 901 W. Sprague Ave., on March 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

A Verdi, Verdi fine excursion

The Spokane Opera Buffs are planning a May 6 motor-coach excursion to Seattle to see the Seattle Opera’s production of “Macbeth,” by Verdi.

It includes a hotel stay, dinner and a pre-opera lecture. As a veteran of one of these trips, I can vouch for the fact that it’s a great way to see an opera with a bunch of like-minded people.

Call John Bouchard at 624-6230 by March 15 to reserve a spot.

‘Home of the Brave’ update

We now have a rough start date for “Home of the Brave,” the movie starring Samuel L. Jackson. It will begin filming in Spokane around March 20 and continue through April.

A West Point quintet

The Heritage Brass Quintet, made up of musicians from the U.S. Military Academy Band, will perform a free concert Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Music Building Recital Hall at Whitworth College.

The quintet performs regularly for ceremonies and concerts at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Its repertoire includes works from the 16th century to the present.

The public is invited to this free concert.

Join a chorus of millions

Here’s something you can’t do every day: sing along with the World’s Largest Concert.

On Thursday, millions of schoolchildren, teachers and parents will tune in to a televised concert from The Grand Palace in Branson, Mo.

Viewers in classrooms and homes all around the country will then sing together with the Choristers of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs and the Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra. Millions are expected to participate, thus the name: World’s Largest Concert.

It was created as a celebration of music by the National Association of Music Education.

Tune in to KSPS-7 on Thursday at 10 a.m. to be part of it.

Did you work on the Fox?

The people working on the Fox Theater renovation are trying to track down former craftspeople and construction workers who worked on the original theater back in 1931 and 1932.

If you fit the bill, or know someone who does, call 326-3136, ext. 32.