Richard's Bio
Richard is a Los Angeles based actor working TV, film and stage. |
Born and raised in the Albany, NY Area, Richard was bitten by the acting bug in high school when he was cast as the barber in his high school production of The Grass Harp. This was followed by his first musical, Mame. He was hooked.
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At Siena College he fully immersed himself in the theater doing everything from hanging lights and stage managing to assistant directing main stage shows and playing everything from chorus parts to leads.
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After college,Richard appeared in many local theater productions in the Albany area Before finally moving to New York City. In New York he built up his stage credits while studying voice with Bill Reed. Eventually booking jobs around the country in dinner theatre, summer stock and tours.
Los Angeles beckoned and he now works on local stage while appearing in commercials and TV shows. |
What the Critics Say...
The Full Monty - San Diego Musical Theatre
"Slyke as Harold is very funny, particularly when trying to keep his affectionate wife Vicky (Karyn Overstreet) from learning the truth." - Broadway World
"...providing many funny moments. Richard Van Slyke, plays Harold Nichols, a man trying to hide his misfortunes from his wife." - The Vista Press
A Christmas Story
"Richard Van Slyke makes Ralphie's father's obsessions and character quirks as naturally warm as the tale permits." San Gabriel Valley Times
"Van Slyke's old man fumes as deliciously as ever, and both give their characters their own hilarious quirks." "...the two SoCal favorites as their accustomed best." - StageScene LA
All Shook Up
"Van Slyke delivers a blossoming Jim who finds himself when he finds his woman." - Scene by Jenni Prisk
Somewhere in the Middle
"The play echoed quite a bit with me, which is the direct result of the power of not only the fine actors but of the words they spoke…it is all in the writing as they say…in short…I loved it!!" - NoHoArtsDistrict.com
"Sitting so close to the stage we almost forgot that we were watching a show. Spinney and Van Slyke as Lauren and David deliver commentary throughout that is heartfelt and poignant." - Valley Scene Magazine
"Van Slyke’s rare departure from musical comedy reveals an adept dramedian." - StageSceneLA
"Her mother (Saige Spinney), her father David (Richard Van Slyke) and grandmother Roz (Cynthia Kania), in a trio of STRONG PERFORMANCES,..." - Tolucan Times
"...the actors are all to a fault committed, engaged and very, very good." - NoHoArtsDistrict.com
...the entire ensemble are terrific. Slyke and Spinney hold their ground as caring parents at all costs and make David and Lauren likable individuals." - Grigware Blogspot
"I liked the play, its humor and characterizations, and above all else, the tremendous cast." - Grigware Blogspot
"Lamb’s warmth and optimism as a writer are perfectly captured by his well-rounded, expert cast." - totaltheater.com
The Full Monty - Theatre 7
"Richard Van Slyke is superb as laid-off shop foreman Harold," - Backstage West
"the always reliable Richard Van Slyke, suitably uptight as Harold," - StageSceneLA
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
"Musical theater vet Van Slyke is a terrific Mr. Twimble, who teaches Ponty how to do things “The Company Way.” - StageSceneLA
The Music Man
"Van Slyke and Fiore reinvent Mayor and Mrs. Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn to hilarious perfection as well," - StageSceneLA
The Odd Couple
"Bean, Langer, Van Slyke and DonVito make the perfect eclectic mix of friends/ poker players" - BroadwayWorld
Hello Again
"director Richard Van Slyke (who merits his own kudos) has come up with an ensemble of L.A. musical theater stars and SoCal newcomers more than up to the tasks at hand." - StageSceneLA
"Van Slyke’s fast-moving and fluidly-paced direction is infused with discerning little nods to the differing decades each romantic intrigue transpires in. He also inserts plenty of insights regarding the nature of relationships—most notably when the heart and mind are over-ridden by the libido!" - Bucking Trends
"Slyke as Harold is very funny, particularly when trying to keep his affectionate wife Vicky (Karyn Overstreet) from learning the truth." - Broadway World
"...providing many funny moments. Richard Van Slyke, plays Harold Nichols, a man trying to hide his misfortunes from his wife." - The Vista Press
A Christmas Story
"Richard Van Slyke makes Ralphie's father's obsessions and character quirks as naturally warm as the tale permits." San Gabriel Valley Times
"Van Slyke's old man fumes as deliciously as ever, and both give their characters their own hilarious quirks." "...the two SoCal favorites as their accustomed best." - StageScene LA
All Shook Up
"Van Slyke delivers a blossoming Jim who finds himself when he finds his woman." - Scene by Jenni Prisk
Somewhere in the Middle
"The play echoed quite a bit with me, which is the direct result of the power of not only the fine actors but of the words they spoke…it is all in the writing as they say…in short…I loved it!!" - NoHoArtsDistrict.com
"Sitting so close to the stage we almost forgot that we were watching a show. Spinney and Van Slyke as Lauren and David deliver commentary throughout that is heartfelt and poignant." - Valley Scene Magazine
"Van Slyke’s rare departure from musical comedy reveals an adept dramedian." - StageSceneLA
"Her mother (Saige Spinney), her father David (Richard Van Slyke) and grandmother Roz (Cynthia Kania), in a trio of STRONG PERFORMANCES,..." - Tolucan Times
"...the actors are all to a fault committed, engaged and very, very good." - NoHoArtsDistrict.com
...the entire ensemble are terrific. Slyke and Spinney hold their ground as caring parents at all costs and make David and Lauren likable individuals." - Grigware Blogspot
"I liked the play, its humor and characterizations, and above all else, the tremendous cast." - Grigware Blogspot
"Lamb’s warmth and optimism as a writer are perfectly captured by his well-rounded, expert cast." - totaltheater.com
The Full Monty - Theatre 7
"Richard Van Slyke is superb as laid-off shop foreman Harold," - Backstage West
"the always reliable Richard Van Slyke, suitably uptight as Harold," - StageSceneLA
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
"Musical theater vet Van Slyke is a terrific Mr. Twimble, who teaches Ponty how to do things “The Company Way.” - StageSceneLA
The Music Man
"Van Slyke and Fiore reinvent Mayor and Mrs. Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn to hilarious perfection as well," - StageSceneLA
The Odd Couple
"Bean, Langer, Van Slyke and DonVito make the perfect eclectic mix of friends/ poker players" - BroadwayWorld
Hello Again
"director Richard Van Slyke (who merits his own kudos) has come up with an ensemble of L.A. musical theater stars and SoCal newcomers more than up to the tasks at hand." - StageSceneLA
"Van Slyke’s fast-moving and fluidly-paced direction is infused with discerning little nods to the differing decades each romantic intrigue transpires in. He also inserts plenty of insights regarding the nature of relationships—most notably when the heart and mind are over-ridden by the libido!" - Bucking Trends