"On a summer day in 1962, a customer in my store asked  me why Marshalltown didn't have a community  theatre.  I couldn't give her an answer, but told her I'd try to find one.

The Times - Republican ran a small story advising anyone interested in  establishing  a community theatre to  meet  at  the  Community Center.  You can see the results when you examine the memorabilia posted in the lobby.  It pays to advertise."
     Sanford Schlesinger, 1987
          Founder of MCT, on its 1962 origin

 
MCT Founder Sandy Schlesinger died November 28, 2007 at his home.  He was 84 years old.  We will all miss him dearly.

Sanford I. Schlesinger was born on December 19, 1922 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Harry and Pauline (Kershevsky) Schlesinger.  He was raised and educated in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1940.  He attended Drake University majoring in Radio/Journalism in the Drake Business School.   On February 25, 1945, Sandy married Helen D. Algase of Waterloo, Iowa.  Helen died in 1993.   Sandy is best known in Marshalltown as the owner of Home Furniture Company (1947-1982) and Upstairs Downstairs (1982-2007). Sandy began his career as a script writer for the World War II series, “Bundles for Britain.”  He worked for local radio stations KSO/KRNT and then moved to New York City to become a script writer for such programs as “Boston Blackie,”  “Cisco Kid,” a weekly Associated Press program called “Eye Witness News,” and “War Correspondent.”  He free-lanced for “Suspense,”  “Molle Mystery Theater,” and “Grand Central Station.”  In 1962, Sandy helped to start the Marshalltown Community Theatre and has directed over 40 plays and Galas through the years. Sandy is survived by his daughter, Ann Schlesinger Stephens of Lawrence, Kansas, his granddaughter, Elizabeth Stephens of Kansas City, Kansas, a niece, Terry Simon of New York City, a nephew, Rick Simon of Gardnerville, Nevada, and a sister, Greta Schlesinger Robin of Iowa City, Iowa. 

Ann (Schlesinger) Stephens, Sandy's daughter, has offered to help MCT by establishing The Sandy Schlesinger Memorial Fund.  Any contributions will go toward helping one of Sandy's great gifts to Marshalltown - Community Theatre.

Contributions may be mailed to:

The Sandy Schlesinger Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 923
Marshalltown, Iowa, 50158-0923.

As if that wasn't generous enough, she has also established a memorial for The Iowa River Hospice Building Fund in her father's memory.

Contributions may be mailed to:

The Iowa River Hospice Building Fund
P.O. Box 1086
Marshalltown, Iowa, 50158.