Saturday, December 20, 2008
Interesting Television Line-up tonight
Ok, so now I am a frequent blogger, but I needed to share. Tonight, TCM had two interesting films back to back. The films were also shows that I have done (surprise, surprise) You Can't Take It With You, which I have had the pleasure of doing twice, and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. In You Can't, I played the Russian Ballet Instructor Kolenkhov both times, the first at 17 and most recently at Stage West in January of 2005. In How To Succeed I played Finch in 1980. The curious thing is that How To was the show that derailed my desire to be an actor. It was the best cast I ever worked with until Beckett- so professional, so many varied ages- it was one of the biggest community theaters in the state of New Jersey, quite nearly professional- a number of the cast had agents and were trying to go pro- our choreographer left us early to join the cast of A Chorus Line in New York- and as I worked with these people, I came to my previously stated epiphany about being a ham as opposed to an actor; a personality as opposed to a talent (see my first blog). I did not want to be a 45 year old man still wanting to be an actor. I did a couple of shows after that, met my wife, got married, and stopped acting cold turkey. I did some theatrical things, but not many, for twenty years. Then, in October 2004, I auditioned for my first part in many years- You Can't Take It... and I got Kolenkhov again. It was like coming home, both being on stage and getting into the Russians skin again. It was funny seeing both shows tonight, and impossible to dodge the flood of memories and feelings they invoke in me. I got really choked up singing Brotherhood of Man at the end- "Your life long membership- is free- keep a-giving each brother all-you can- Oh aren't you proud to be- in that fraternity- the great big brotherhood of man" I know I am proud to be in the brotherhood of man and actor, as well. Thanks for reading this. See you next time- Pete
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2 comments:
I have never seen "How to succeed..." I should rent it sometime. I'm glad I was a part of your first experience at stage west. I really enjoyed asst. stage managing for that one. it was sooo much fun. I can't wait to see the man who came to dinner, I really wish I could have been a part of that one. :( so many great people in it.
I'm glad you're a frequent blogger. I always like to know what my friends are thinking about, it helps me to know them better. I happened to catch How to Succeed on TV too. I didn't get to watch the whole thing, but I loved what I saw. I thought you were great as Kolenkhov. I didn't know you then, but as I sat in the audience and watched you, I could tell that you were something special. You had, and still have, the most awesome stage presence that I have ever seen. You really shine up there, it is where you were meant to be. You can second-guess yourself if you'd like, hell I do it all the time, but you have a gift my dear. Don't ever forget that. See you soon Sherry my sweet. :)
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