What we do for love . . . (A Chorus Line, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban). I cry every time I hear that song — and I never even did the show!
My husband and I lived the show (“Al” and “Kristine”). We continue, 30+ years later, to live for the high that comes when the passionate creativity of artists — writers, directors, actors, scenic designers, lighting designers, visionary producers — come together to create an evening of theater. Sprinkle in a receptive audience and everyone experiences magic. That happened last night.
My girlfriend, Joanne Dorian, was a founding member of The Articulate Theatre Company so I’ve gone to see their work for the past few years. I never expected much. Usually presented in a little hole-in-the-wall theater space in New York that holds less than 100 people. Actors are professional, but unpaid (except for a small union stipend). But, I like to support my friends, so I’d lay out the $25 in support – and repeatedly found myself completely surprised at the number of jewels buried in this unknown gold mine of talented repertory work.
So last year, knowing my own career is basically in the dumper – no really enthusiastic agent since my youthful glory days on The Guiding Light; grey-haired and considered over-the-hill, I still relish being on stage, immersing myself in a world of fantasy and make-believe. What better company to consider working with for free than one whose mission is to celebrate “Myth, Magic and the Mundane.”
Best decision of my life – except for marriage and my kids.
Last night Folk City Stories opened. Tonight we close. The lucky few who purchased tickets prior to our selling out, share the magic that this amazing synergy of talent has created; and, I’m riding the high that keeps me addicted to continually seeking the thrill that comes from being connected on stage with an audience.
As the curtain rose on our evening of 10-minute, original plays inspired from the lyrics of various folk songs, I could hear the audience getting sucked into the world of the 60’s. As each little vignette unfolded, the audience was taken on a wild ride. By the time my scene hit — we were last on the bill — the audience was right there with us from the moment Joanne’s uptight character, “Bella,” entered to the sound of her daughter’s wedding blaring in the background; and the free-wheeling, slightly inebriated “best friend, Sue,” dances her way into the bickering love story, written by company member, Kelly Zekas, and inspired by Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne,” lovingly directed by Aimee Todoroff.
And you probably missed it.
And tonight we close. And we’re sold out — so if you didn’t get a ticket early on, you can’t share the magic.
Ahhhh, therein lies the rub.
Oh yeah, I also directed a scene, Babe I Hate To Go, written by guest writer, Rhea McCallum, featuring Jennifer Wilson McGuire, Adam Perabo and Stark Wilz, inspired by John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Complete celebration for cherishing those moments and people in your life.
