On April 14th 1991 the world lost a wonderful dancer, singer, actor… and a warm and loving human being. Kenneth Henley Hirschbein was one of my best friends in High School. We danced the Sword Dance from “Brigadoon” together in his Senior Year in 1967. Later he toured the country as one of the Original “Brothers & Sisters”. Ken moved to New York and went on to dance professionally as “Ken Henley” on Broadway, in the Original productions of “Fiddler On The Roof”, “My Fair Lady”, “Rex”, “Camelot”, and “Mame”. To illustrate the kind of friend he was… when he was in “Fiddler” on Broadway, he heard that I was doing the lead role of “Bobby” in “Company” at Theater Alverno in Milwaukee. Kenny was on Broadway, yet he took the time and effort to send me an opening night telegram for a Community Theater show in Milwaukee. In the mid ‘80s Kenny became very ill and was no longer able to dance. He went back to school and got a Hair Dresser’s License so he could work on hair in the theater. His last professional job was doing hair in the Revival of “Three Penny Opera” with “Sting” in 1989.
Ken Henley died at his New York apartment on April 14th 1991. He was only 42 years old. Kenny taught me to “Work hard, but never show the effort.” He was a gifted performer and a wonderful friend. He literally changed my life… and he will never be forgotten!
Joseph Sectzer (1967)
What I remember about Kenny is a sweet guy always willing to help . I was sad to learn of his passing.
Jose Sectzer
Harry Fritz (1967)
There was no actor/dancer better on the stage in Washington HS than Kenny H - !
Keith A Christensen (1967)
I will miss you very, very much. We were friends since elementary school.
LeRoy J. Nienow (1968)
On April 14th 1991 the world lost a wonderful dancer, singer, actor… and a warm and loving human being. Kenneth Henley Hirschbein was one of my best friends in High School. We danced the Sword Dance from “Brigadoon” together in his Senior Year in 1967. Later he toured the country as one of the Original “Brothers & Sisters”. Ken moved to New York and went on to dance professionally as “Ken Henley” on Broadway, in the Original productions of “Fiddler On The Roof”, “My Fair Lady”, “Rex”, “Camelot”, and “Mame”. To illustrate the kind of friend he was… when he was in “Fiddler” on Broadway, he heard that I was doing the lead role of “Bobby” in “Company” at Theater Alverno in Milwaukee. Kenny was on Broadway, yet he took the time and effort to send me an opening night telegram for a Community Theater show in Milwaukee. In the mid ‘80s Kenny became very ill and was no longer able to dance. He went back to school and got a Hair Dresser’s License so he could work on hair in the theater. His last professional job was doing hair in the Revival of “Three Penny Opera” with “Sting” in 1989.