Inside Christopher Reeve's Early Days as a Theater Actor in N.Y.C.: He 'Definitely' Had Star Power (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Images Press/IMAGES/Getty

Images Press/IMAGES/Getty

Christopher Reevewas a memorable presence on the 1970s New York City theater scene before scoring his life-changing role inSuperman.

Some of that early footage was featured inSuper/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The documentary showed the stark contrast of the late icon’s life before and after the tragic equestrian accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed.

Remembering Reeve from his early days before superstardom, Crystal Field, co-founder and artistic director ofTheater for the New City, the off-off Broadway theater where Reeve played one of his very first roles inBerchtesgaden,spoke with PEOPLE.

“He was a guard. He didn’t have a big part,” Field recalls of the N.Y.C. native, who was 23 years old and fresh out of Juilliard at the time. “He might have had a monologue, but I don’t remember the monologue. I rememberhim.”

“He was very handsome,” adds Field, also an actress who appeared in movies like 1985’sSilver Bullet. “Tall. Broad shoulders. Beautiful voice. That’s what I remember. I remember him standing there.”

When asked if the budding actor had already possessed the star quality he came to be known for, Field says, “Oh yes, he definitely did.”

The play’s director Barbara Loden, a Tony Award winner for her 1964 role in Arthur Miller’sAfter the Fall, was a “very well-known actress at that time,” says Field. “She was my best friend — she cast him in it.”

Just two years after his gigs both on and off Broadway, Reeve landed hisSupermanrole, which was met with mixed emotions from his theater friends, some accusing him of “selling out,” but ironically, he would dedicate his entire life — and legacy — to giving back.

Steve Sands/AP

“It was a very, very helpful grant, but it had nothing to with my relationship with Christopher Reeve, it had to do with an elevator that we wanted to put in and they helped us get it,” the Obie award-winning actress shares.

Maggie Goldberg, president and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, gave PEOPLE a statement about the organization’s remarkable efforts.

“Christopher and Dana Reeve had a love and passion for the theater and arts. We are proud to carry on their work and legacy through the Quality of Life Grants Program, awarding organizations like Theater for the New City. Our program has awarded over $43 million to more than 3,770 projects across the United States to improve the quality of life through inclusion, access and independence.”

“They’re actually considering us for another grant because we want to make our doors more wheelchair-accessible,” Field continues. “You can get a wheelchair through them — but we want to be able to press a button and the doors open to get a wheelchair in.”

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TNC, whose productions have won over 40 Obie awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, was once a stomping ground for artists such as Sam Shepard,Tim Robbins,Adrien Brodyand Nobel prize-winner Gao Xingjian.

source: people.com