Good morning. I am currently just waking up and it’s almost 9 am. We stayed up late for the Tonys and to keep track of what was happening in Los Angeles. (I believe it’s the beginning of the end for this regime.) So, both of us slept in and it’s thrown us off.
On my mind this morning. Let me just say that Audra McDonald’s performance as Mama Rose, singing the number Rose’s Turn, is the most powerful musical theater performance I have ever seen. This is a performance for the ages. Don and I are still talking about it today. She should have won the Tony. It was the musical theater equivalent of King Lear. Extraordinary. Gut wrenching. A reinterpretation of Rose that is stunning.
And one more thing about the Tony Awards,. I stopped counting the actors I have coached and worked with at the number 15. Two of my former students were up there. I’ve worked with Brandon Jacobs Jenkins, who won the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony for Purpose. In those years when I watched the Tonys as a young girl, then an aspiring actress, I would have never imagined that these people would be my colleagues, that I could say “I know him or her, I’ve coached them.” Or, “I was his teacher.” I’ve been working in professional theater for over 50 years. I’ve trained young actors. I’ve worked on and off-Broadway, in regional theaters around the country, When I have the opportunity to step back and note the number of people I have been blessed to teach and/or coach, I am humbled. Things get put into perspective and I realize that I’ve made an impact. I am so blessed.
And I have to note that my dear friend Jan and my dear friend Joe are the ones who encouraged me to quit my dead-end job in Detroit, audition for graduate school, and change my life. Nothing that has happened in my career would have happened without that loving push. To say my life changed for the better would be putting it mildly.
I’m enormously grateful always, but especially today.
The spirea has bloomed and it’s a massive splash of pink. I’ll try to take a photo of the entire bush, which was tiny when I planted it, believe it or not!
The first Stella D’Oro day lily has opened. I’m sure I’ll find more when I go outside.
And Chloe has been redressed for spring and summer.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
You have had quite the career. And….I’m hoping it will continue. It must be so rewarding for you to see those actors, that you have helped, achieve their own successes. Yes…a blessed life indeed.
I’m still waiting for our first Stella D’ora bloom….could be awhile. And my hibiscus has not yet put out even a hope of coming back. Maybe our winter was too dry? I’m trying to figure out a replacement, in case I need it.
Hope your day goes well…enjoy! ;)
We’ve had so much snow and rain that growth around here is quite lush. That isn’t always the case!
Stay safe, Donnamae.
Congratulations on your amazing career!
I have never seen pink spirea. My mom had a row of white that bordered our yard.
I love Chloe’s fun yellow shoes and the Beatles shirt. I would wear them if I had them.
Take care
I would wear them, too, Marilyn!
Stay safe.
Happy you had so many great memories while watching the Tonys.
Thank you, Wendy.
Stay safe.
How cute is little Miss Chloe? Love her crocs. You certainly should take a bow for all the people you’ve helped further their careers. Kudos! Hugs, Elaine
Thank you, Elaine.
Stay safe.
you’ve shared so much with us over many years and written it beautifully … but today, especially given your recent words about an unwanted seeming-retirement, you said something that makes me extra-happy for you: “i realize that i’ve made an impact “.
yes, you certainly have made a positive impact, claudia, and not only with the actors and other people with whom you’ve worked. you’ve made an impact here at mhc, on me, by sharing your thoughtful take on life, the beauty of the natural world around you, behind-the-scenes details of things i may otherwise never encounter (theater and film work, forexample), your various creative outlets and especially the kindness you’ve shared with others and with me. all interesting, helpful, inspiring and much appreciated! don’t know who (or what algorithm) to thank for pointing me, but i’m glad to have found you and mhc.
thank you, dear claudia.
happy, safe monday to you, don and everyone else.
kathy
Oh, Kathy, thank you. Your words mean a great deal. I truly appreciate them.
Stay safe.
You have had an interesting and exciting life because you did the work. Enjoy the fruits of your labor as the saying goes. I am so proud to know you.
I’m proud to know you, too!
Stay safe, Kay.
How nice to know that your work made a different in so many lives! Teachers and coaches are so valuable.
Thank you, Ellen.
Stay safe.
I hear you on the Tonys and Audra. I almost felt shell-shocked watching her in that number. No words, absolutely no words. Yes, she should have won. (Not to be snarky, but I couldn’t understand a single word in the song Nicole Schertzinger sang and neither could Rick, though I’ll say she can hold a note. Somewhat over indulgently but that takes a lot of breath control.)
I always enjoy the Tonys. I remember watching with friends Jerry, Patty and Andy when we were in college, crammed into my parents’ little den with the color TV! During the commercials we would share our Tony speeches! I knew I would never go onto that professionally, but Jerry (as you know), Andy and Patty did. No Tony nominees there, though!
It’s impressive to know that so many you have worked with were there. (If it was me, I’d be sending them all a note of congratulations, reminding them I still do vocal coaching when the opportunity comes along but I’m probably a lot tackier than you! Even the note, without the end. That’s pretty cool.
We couldn’t understand her either. The hand gestures, the ‘look how long I can hold a note’ were unnecessary.
Reminding them that I’m still working isn’t me.
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
Seeing so many you coached is certainly a personal career validation, eh? So congratulations to you and to them!
Chloe’s summer outfit looks so comfortable. (yes, on some level I know she is a doll and doesn’t do “comfortable” but indulge me.).
Ceci
Thanks so much, Ceci.
Stay safe.
There’s that beatles tee again. Love it!
Thank you!
Stay safe, Irene.
I did not realize that you have had quite the career. You should be proud of yourself! I love the pics of your yard. So much green. It takes my mind off of the craziness that is going on in our country. I especially loved the way Gavin Newsom gave it to Trump during his interview to Jacob at MSNBC. He was pissed! Both Bill and I can hardly look at the man or hear his voice. It is just all lies anyway. Then ABC goes and fires Terry Moran! He was one of my favorite journalist. All he did was tell the truth. So worried about our country.
You did make me smile with the little Beatles shirt. So cute! Had a skin cancer taken off yesterday and 2 hours in the dentist chair today getting a crown. I came home and collapsed. Hope tomorrow is better. Take care!
Oh, I’m sorry you had to go through that, Deb. Here’s hoping you’re on the mend now.
I agree with everything you said. Gavin’s speech to the nation last night was powerful. And I’m boycotting ABC and Disney for what they did to Terry Moran.
Stay safe.