January 24, 2005
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The Daily News
1 So...Johnny Carson walks into a bar...
2 Yesterday my mom called and said that we had a new baby in the family. There ususually IS no better news, but this one was a miracle baby, and my cousin't daughter, who survived leukemia, now has a bouncing baby boy!!
3 My mom also gave me the news that Johnny Carson had passed away. It's fitting that my mom would call and tell me, because that was something we used to share, watching the Tonight Show each night, and enjoying Carson. Nobody was better, and nobody ever will be. He was an icon for 29 years, 7 months, and 21 days. From October of '62 to May of '92, Johnny graced the late-night living rooms and bedrooms of literally millions of people, and delivered a monologue that always had topical wit, humor, and wisdom. I loved the show, and I loved Johnny Carson. I guess there are meaningful passings sometimes, and the passing of Johnny Carson is felt all across the land this morning, by those of us touchd by his devilishly wonderful ways, as well as his boyish charm. He will be missed.
4 So it goes.
5 Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of A Love Letter for an artistically beautiful closing weekend. Although we never pulled in a huge crowd, the audiences loved ths Show, and we loved them. Friday night's show was particularly pleasing to me, and I'm truly going to miss all of it. It was just about the only way to go out. Thanks for a perfect ending to a long and beautiful run.
6 On Saturday night, Sunshine, as the Charlie Chaplin character, walked off arm-in-arm with the Girl, played <not accidentally> by Trami, and the two of them were supposed to exit to a slow fade, a silhouette, and a last note of music.
7 Instead, Sunshine turned back and walked to center stage, and proceeded to invite me to the stage. Anyone who knows me knows I don't do those sorts of things very well, but I went up, and received a standing ovation! It was a great moment, and meant a great deal to me. I was in disbelief afterwards, and had to ask people if that was indeed what had happened.
8 Anyway, Saturday night was perfect, and I slept all day yesterday, emotionally exhausted, but with nothing but lovely memories of not only this show, but of all the memories and good times shared by anyone who has ever enjoyed the mystical magic that can sometimes be the Theatre. Thanks, kids, for doing it right. You were a class act.
9 Well, there will be new memories on the horizon, and I sure hope somehow, some way, the Drama Workshop could live on.
10 It always will, in our hearts. So I guess I'll just leave it at that right now. It has been quite a ride. Yesterday I sat in my living room, thinking of nothing but the good times in that Theatre, and smiling a lot. Maybe that's what it's all about, in the final analysis.
11 It's been a wonderful ride. I hope everyone takes a moment today and remembers some of the great moments that have happened out on that stage. Yesterday I went through all of it, just different fun things, all day long, and I loved every second of it.
12 So thanks, everyone and anyone who ever enjoyed the rehearsals, the little moments, the giggles, the makeup, the friendhips, the flowers, the Shows, and most of all, the Theatre. It will never be the same, and it shouldn't. Lovely memories are like that.
13 Good times.
14 Just, thanks to everyone who came and supported out final three performances of A Love Letter.
15 It's been fun.
16 Peace.
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