Robert D. Alonzo, active in community theater

Sept. 16, 1933 April 2, 2014

Robert D. Alonzo, an actor, director and set designer in local community theater, died Wednesday in his Lancaster home after a short illness. He was 80.

Born in Attica, he was a graduate of Attica High School and served in the Navy during the Korean War.

Returning from service, he earned degrees in speech and dramatic art from Syracuse University, where he was a member of the Boars Head Dramatic Society and Tau Delta Phi and Sigma Tau Rho fraternities.

Mr. Alonzo acquired his Actors Equity card in 1958 and acted in off-Broadway productions in New York City with Hermione Gingold and Jessica Tandy. He also worked in professional summer stock as a master electrician, technical director, stage manager and in minor acting roles.

He returned to the Buffalo area in the 1960s and operated his own business, then was a general manger for Delta Sonic Car Wash in the 1970s before becoming an agent for Benderson Development Co.

After he retired in 1997, he worked part time for Lauer-Manguso & Associates Architects.

Mr. Alonzo was a member and past president of the Lancaster Regional Players, formerly the Lancaster-Depew Community Theater, since 1976 and directed numerous productions.

He also was a member of the Amherst Players and the Aurora Players.

His most recent directorial effort was the Aurora Players production of the comedy Run for Your Wife Feb. 28 to March 16.

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Robert D. Alonzo, active in community theater