David Cassidy on the Web
David Cassidy's homecoming
June 1, 2012
By Dr. Darla Shaw
The Ridgefield Press.com
David Cassidy lived on Olmstead Lane in the 1990s.
The multi-talented David Cassidy will be joined this Friday, June 1, by his singer-songwriter wife, Sue Shifrin, and their son, Beau, on the stage of the Ridgefield Playhouse.
"Let's just call this show the Cassidy Family Homecoming," suggested Mr. Cassidy.
"The Ridgefield Playhouse is probably one of the smallest venues I have played, but it is probably one of the most special."
Mr. Cassidy, his wife, and his son are all former Ridgefielders.
"My family lived in the most beautiful picture postcard 1930's house on Olmstead Lane for almost three years in the late 1990's," he said.
"We still talk about it as being our favorite house. After looking at homes in Wilton, Darien, New Canaan, and Westport, we were completely overtaken by the beauty of Ridgefield."
The Cassidys' Ridgefield house was on four acres and backed up to another 17 acres of open space.
"We have more wonderful memories connected to this house than to any other," Mr. Cassidy said. "My wife was very upset over leaving Ridgefield but most of my work was in Las Vegas, on the road, in London and the West Coast, so it just did not make any sense to keep the house."
Mr. Cassidy says Ms. Shifrin's love of Ridgefield led him to the Playhouse.
"My wife kept saying she wanted to return to see the old house and all the friends we still have in town," she said. "Beau wanted to come back as well. When I saw that I had a number of performances in the Massachusetts area, I decided now was the time for the homecoming."
Mr. Cassidy remembers a great deal about Ridgefield.
"I loved walking to town to the great restaurants such as The Inn and The Elms, especially to Gail's Station House for breakfast. I loved driving though Main Street and calling it home. I even remember reading the local weekly newspaper and the newspaper man that lived down the street" (the Press's executive editor).
LEFT: David Cassidy in the Partridge Family era.
"I enjoyed taking my son to nursery school and kindergarten at Veterans Park. Beau is now a student at Boston University and has his own band, Beau and the Fates."
As for his performance at the Playhouse, Mr. Cassidy will showcase all aspects of his four decades in the entertainment industry. There will be songs and stories from television, concerts, Broadway, Las Vegas, Ridgefield, and all over the world. You can also expect a link to his forever famous Partridge Family days.
Now, however, Mr. Cassidy has a new focus in his life. "Once my mother, Evelyn Wood, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I knew that my role in life would change," he said. "Not only have I been responsible to see for her needs but I have become the key spokesperson for the American Alzheimer's Association. Just this month I spoke before Congress on the need for more education and funding for this epidemic."
"Having the largest fan club base ever of baby boomers, has helped me with my new purpose in life," he said. "My fans are now also my biggest advocates in a fight for the cure. They also accept that the major role in my life has changed from performer to advocate. I can't thank them enough."
For tickets ($60) to the show, call the box office at 203-438-5795, or visit online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
