gwynnega

I've been thoroughly enjoying the audiobook, read by the author, of Frank Langella's memoir Dropped Names. I just listened to the section on Raul Julia (in which Langella freely admits to having been in love with him), and why oh why isn't there any video of the 1984 revival of Design for Living, starring Julia, Langella, and Jill Clayburgh? I mean, really.

Today I went to Theatre 68, a small theater in a rather dicey part of Hollywood (Sunset & Western) to see a production of The Busy World Is Hushed featuring three actors from General Hospital: the fabulous Carolyn Hennesy (who also appears on Cougar Town), Jason Thompson and Nathan Parsons. The show is closing this weekend, and several other GH actors attended. I was right behind Bradford Anderson and Sonya Eddy at the box office, and I told Bradford, "I know I'm in the right place--the coworkers are here!" A bit later Brandon Barash and Lisa LoCicero showed up. I ended up sitting next to Lillian Lehman, who played Dr. Meadows on GH for years, and we had a great chat during intermission.

The play was excellent. At first I thought Jason Thompson (who, unlike Carolyn Hennesy and Nathan Parsons, is a theater newby) would be the weak link, but he ended up giving perhaps the most affecting performance. On a shallowly slashy note, I enjoyed seeing Jason Thompson and Nathan Parsons play lovers. Their (very heterosexual) GH characters Patrick and Ethan don't share much screentime, but now I wish I could see a Patrick/Ethan affair...

Current Mood: pleased

Thanks to everyone who answered my post on plays for the Jo book. Sam Shepard came up in the comments, and then just now I read this lovely bit from Patti Smith's memoir Just Kids. She's been hanging out with a drummer who introduced himself to her as "Slim," and one night he takes her out for lobster at Max's. Then:

While I was eating, I noticed Jackie Curtis giving me hand signals. I figured she wanted some of my lobster, which was fine with me. I wrapped a meaty claw in a napkin and followed her into the ladies' room. Jackie immediately started grilling me.

"What are you doing with Sam Shepard?" she blurted.

"Sam Shepard?" I said. "Oh, no, this guy's name is Slim."

"Honey, you don't know who he is?"

"He's the drummer for the Holy Modal Rounders."

She rummaged frantically in her purse, polluting the air with face powder. "He's the biggest playwright off-Broadway. He had a play at Lincoln Center. He won five Obies!" she rattled off, penciling her eyebrows. I stared at her incredulously. The revelation seemed like a plot twist in some Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney musical. "Well, that doesn't mean much to me," I said.

"Don't be a fool," she said, gripping me dramatically. "He can take you right to Broadway." Jackie had a way of transporting any random interaction into a B movie scene.

Current Mood: amused

So I'm working on the last chapter of the Jo book, and part of the chapter involves a theater company. So tell me some of your favorite plays (from any time period until the turn of the 21st century)! I may include 'em in the novel.

Current Mood: curious

It's been a fun weekend so far. Last night after work I went to my first Science Fiction Poetry Association gathering. It was great to meet

dkolodji and

samhenderson, as well as W. Gregory Stewart (who hosted the event), Drew Morse, Denise Dumars, and Kendall Evans. There was Chinese food and much lively conversation. Plus we wrote a couple of exquisite corpses together and read aloud some poems.

Then today I met up with Carolyn and Dave at West Hollywood Park for an outdoor performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor (which we'd heard about because our friend Steve Moramarco was in the cast). The costumes were 1950s styled, and at one point the incidental music was the theme from Benny Hill! It was a fast-paced, uproarious production.

Now for some Dark Shadows...

Current Mood: cheerful

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Entries tagged with theater

oh for a time machine

The Busy World Is Hushed

Sam Shepard

plays! gimme plays!

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May 2025

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