Yesterday afternoon, I headed up to Williamstown, Massachusetts to see my husband’s closing performance of Pygmalion at the Williamstown Theater Festival. It was a beautiful day to drive up into the Berkshire Mountains. I arrived about a half hour before the matinee performance ended. I walked a couple of blocks to the theater and hung out, waiting for my husband to appear.
I was standing here, across the street from the theater, when I finally caught a glimpse of him as he came out the stage door. It took a while for him to make his way in my direction because he was continually stopped by theater goers; I saw him shaking a hand here, signing a program there. As he made his way toward the street, I shouted out his name. Big broad smile. And a huge hug when he finally reached my side of the street.
The Williamstown Theater Festival is a the tip-top of summer theater in this country and has been for years. It was started in the fifties and has always been a summer home for some of the best stage actors in the country. I can see why. It’s a magical place. The town is a college town – Williams College is there – and in the summer, everything revolves around the Festival. The campus is full of stately old architecture, sort of your classic New England college campus.
As Don and I walked the few blocks to a restaurant to grab a bite to eat, he was constantly stopped by people who had seen him in Pygmalion. He told me this happens all the time. Someone mowing his lawn would shout out how much he loved his performance. People would call his name, cross the street and grab his hand, thanking him. Don’s a tall guy and it isn’t easy for him to blend in, hence the instant recognition. As we stood in line at the restaurant, the young guy behind us tapped him on the back and thanked him. This happened everywhere.
Don told me that being there was almost like being in actor heaven. This Festival is thriving. People flock there from all over the country. Actors are definitely ‘seen’ there – industry professionals make it a point to see everything each season. There is always something creative going on. And there is the famous cabaret that starts around 11 pm, where actors in the Festival perform. We’re talking some of the brightest musical stars on Broadway.
Back to our late afternoon. We ate some dinner, walked to a fabulous ice cream shop and had perhaps the best milkshake I’ve ever had and after loading up the car, made our way to the theater for the evening performance. Again, the stopping, the shaking hands, the apprentices calling out his name, telling him how much they’ll miss him.
Then the performance.
Brilliant. My husband is friggin’ brilliant. I’ve always known this, of course, but I haven’t been able to see him onstage for a while. Riley was ill for a couple of years, so I couldn’t go see Don’s out-of-town performances. Just as he couldn’t come see the shows I coached.
He was made to play Alfred Doolittle. He brought the house down. He made me laugh out loud repeatedly. His Alfred Doolittle was complex, layered, funny and touching. He got applause at the end of his first scene. I’ve always loved George Bernard Shaw (in my acting days I used to do a one woman show called Shaw’s Women.) Shaw was an early advocate of women’s rights, he was years ahead of his time. He was a brilliant writer. He was a vegetarian. “Animals are my friends and I don’t eat my friends.” And his phenomenal skill with the English language just blows me away.
I was entranced. The entire cast was excellent, a wonderful ensemble of actors, led by Robert Sean Leonard as Higgins and Heather Lind as Eliza. I flew backstage at the end of the show to tell them all how much I loved their work.
And then to top it all off, Don played at the Cabaret, which runs for 3 nights. After the show, we were whisked away in a van and taken to the venue – an old church – where the Cabaret takes place. As we walked toward the door, those people standing in line, waiting to be admitted, broke out in spontaneous applause for Don. He sang one of his songs, Trouble and Joy.
A guy can get spoiled in a place like that. And he deserves some spoiling.
He absolutely loved his time there, oppressive heat and all. I am so proud of him. It was a magical night. Along about midnight, we got in the car and started the drive homeward. I think we got to bed around 3 am. A very late night for me but entirely worth it.
Blurry, but there he is, fifth from the left in the bottom row.
Now, I have to leave that magic behind and start packing my things for Hartford. Hartford Stage does amazing work, but Hartford isn’t the magical place that Williamstown is in the summer.
Ah well.
Happy Sunday.
Spotted Don right away. What a great post. Isn’t it lovely to be proud of our partners. I’m glad you were able to spend his last day there with him and see his final performance. Now your turn to be away but hopefully it will go fast!
Is that Shemar Moore I see under the 2013? Now I’m swooning!!
No, I don’t think it’s Shemar Moore, Chy.
Ahh! I’ll swoon anyway!!
I am thrilled for Don! And equally thrilled for you, that you finally got to see his performance! Have fun packing! ;)
So glad I got to see him, Donna. Made my week, my month, my year.
What a wonderful evening. I so enjoy the theater, there nothing like a live performance.
I know – it’s so exciting, Dawn.
I could feel the magic in your post : )
It was indeed magical, Debra.
How wonderful. Such a special time for both of you. Enjoy your brief time together. xo Laura
He’s making me my favorite dinner tonight, Laura. What a guy!
Congratulations to you both! How wonderful!
Thank you, Gina.
Bravo Don!!
Sincerely, Linda
I’ll pass your words on to Don, Linda.
Such a loving post. I’m so happy for Don’s success. Now you’re off to claim your own fame.
Yes, but it’s not nearly so visible, Annette! I just work behind the scenes.
When you find what gives you great joy, and you can do it for a living, it’s as if life has come full circle. Don has found his bliss, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that this leads to more of it for him. I love the notes of well founded pride in your post, it must have been wonderful to see the reaction from everyone around him.
Jen
He’s rediscovered his love of acting on the stage and how happy it makes him. That makes me happy, because that is what he was born to do!
What an exciting and magical day and the memory will be a treasure forever! Congratulations Don on what must have been a truly brilliant performance! How I wish there was some way for your “fan club” here to see it!
I hope your time in Hartford goes equally as well for you Claudia and that you have an enjoyable and fulfillilng time.
Thank you, Mare!
First of all to Don..How wonderful it must be to have people tell you how much they love what you do..so few jobs are rewarded with that type of appreciation..to be doing what you love to do is like a dream come true..And then to be able to go perform your music after..wow..I would be thrilled if I could see you perform on stage some day..I guess I will have to enjoy your work on television and in movies..Also I think that having a wife who is just bursting with pride over you must be an amazing feeling..She is such a dear sweet lady..Claudia..I am so happy that the two of you had such a wonderful evening together..even though it may be a little bittersweet due to your leaving so soon..what a great feeling it must have been for you to see how much other people enjoyed his performance..Have a safe trip both of you and enjoy that special meal Don is preparing tonight..Hugs to one of my most favorite couples in this world! P.S..Give Scouty girl some extra hugs for me..
Aw, thank you so much, my friend. I’ll give Scoutie lots of extra hugs. I’m going to miss her SO MUCH!
Your excitement is contagious! I would love to see Don in this performance! So glad you were able too. Sounds like a very magical place!
hugs,
Linda
It really is, Linda!
Don is a lucky man to have you in his corner, and vice versa.
We are very fortunate to have found each other!
Your excitement and pleasure are infectious! It’s such a thrill to see a loved one on stage, transformed, no matter how often we experience it.
How great to be rewarded by so many for his talents! That must be fun.
This is a great post. Your love and admiration for your man just shine through, as it should be! I wished I could see him perform!
I’m not one bit surprised at the accolades – even though I’ve not had the opportunity to see Don on stage I just know he’s a gem!
Does that make you a ‘gemess” haha!
Have a good week once settled in dear.
Mary X