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Cynthia Owen, 1963-2008

Posted by: Will Coviello in In Memoriam

Cynthia Owen, a longtime star of the New Orleans stage, died Sunday in Las Vegas. She was 44.

Owen spent her life in the theater, starting from an early age working in children’s theater. Equally talented as a singer and actress, she played starring roles such as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Charity Hope Valentine (pictured 2004) in Sweet Charity and Eva Peron in Evita. She was to appear in Pal Joey recently at Tulane Summer Lyric Theater but was unable to do so due to illness.

Owen was beloved by local audiences and the theater community. Over the years, she performed in dramas and musicals across the city. She won four Big Easy Entertainment Awards, three times for best actress in a musical – Sweet Charity (1993), Funny Girl (1994) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (2000). She won best supporting actress in 1996 for her role in Oliver.

Owen is survived by her mother Lyla Hay Owen, her husband Jim Holmes and her sister.

Comments:

b on July 8th, 2008 at 9:38 pm #

I knew her years ago. This is so sad-the same thing happened to my stepson about 10 years ago. It’s very difficult when you love someone so much whether it’s your child, stepchild, spouse, whomever.

My heart goes out to your family.

God bless and keep you. You’ll be in my prayers.

tommy taylor on July 11th, 2008 at 2:49 am #

to robin owen, lyla hay owen, paul owen, mark owen and jim holmes

from my soul i wish all of you the fortitude and strength to come through this with a shining remembrance that cynthia was, is and always will be the talented, vivacious, enigmatic, hilarious yet indescribable source of many joyous memories
that each and all of us will always cherish forevermore.

tommy taylor

our love is here to stay

Ricky McLeod on October 25th, 2008 at 4:49 am #

I only know Cynthia through her cd Light and Love. I didn’t know she had died until I looked her up on google - how sad to read of her untimely death -she was a wonderful singer and her versions of As Long As He Needs Me and My Favourite Year are the best !!!

Alan Liddell on April 2nd, 2009 at 6:03 pm #

I met her only once while in NOLA, now I’m in NYC, where she lived. And I remember her being not only a very talented person, but warm and congenial as well.

Christine Merki on May 17th, 2009 at 1:10 am #

I’m in shock, just finding out Cynthia is gone. I met in Albuquerque and remember how easily she could light up a room with her smile and that voice! It was an exciting time when she and Roger moved to New Orleans. They were both so in love with each other and loved living in the Big Easy. I am just heartbroken to hear that she is gone! She will be forever missed.

gregory hines on May 27th, 2009 at 3:45 pm #

I new this wonderful person very well. we spent alot of time together in the late 80’s. She was one of the sweetest people you can imagine…and a huge talent.
She will be missed by all that knew her.

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