Friends, family to honor former Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre director Dyanne Earley

A former artistic director of the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre will be honored during a public memorial next week.

Dyanne Kathleen Earley, 76, of Mundelein, died July 24 at her home after a short illness. Her family was with her.

The public celebration of Earley's life is set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11, at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort, 10 Marriott Drive. The theater is on the resort grounds.

Earley was the Marriott's artistic director from 1980 to 2001. She directed productions including “My Fair Lady,” “Windy City” and “Miss Saigon” and earned several nominations for Joseph Jefferson Awards, which recognize excellence in Chicago-area theater.

Earley was the first woman nominated for musical direction by the awards committee.

“Her passion for theater was unmatched,” said Terry James, the theater's current executive producer.

Earley especially loved children's theater. She wrote and directed many productions for young audiences.

“She was really devoted to that,” James said.

James described his friend and former co-worker as “a force to be reckoned with,” but he meant it respectfully.

“A lot of people would say she was tough on the outside, but as is so often the case, not through and through,” James said. “She had a wicked sense of humor. She could easily laugh at herself.”

Earley's survivors include three siblings, four sons and two grandchildren.

Instead of flowers, contributions can be made to the Byron Grant Musical Theatre Scholarship Fund at Webster University. Checks can be brought to the memorial service or mailed to: Kevin Earley, 10866 Washington Blvd., No. 104, Culver City, California, 90232. Checks should be written to the university but marked for the Byron Grant Scholarship in the memo line.

More information is available at dyanneearley.com.