A Theatre Circle

I spent the morning and part of the afternoon working in the yard, but I’m off soon to a dance rehearsal for Glorious Christmas Nights.

I’m not a dancer. I’m an actor who dances when he has to. Or, according to my wife, after three glasses of wine.

This week I learned of the passing of an old friend. I haven’t seen Corky in over thirty years. But he is probably one of the reasons I’m still involved in theater. He starred as the Master of Ceremonies in the Giles Little Theater production of Cabaret way back in the early 70s. It was the first musical I saw live on stage. I’ve told you before that I fell in love with Sally Bowles.  I was a high school freshman.

Two years later I was on that stage in the chorus of Anything Goes. My first musical. Corky was also in that show and did the choreography. He taught dance for 40 years in our hometown.

I’ve lost two other friends who were in that show with me as well. One who died early in a car accident. One who took some rough roads in life.

I’ve taken a few different, and maybe some rough, roads of my own in life. We all do. I spent some years away from the stage completely. Would things have been different after college if I hadn’t been afraid to make that leap? Probably. Or, at least maybe.

But, no regrets.

I remember Corky (and Nancy, and Mike) fondly and cherish those times we had together on stage. Today, I work with new friends and family. And those are to be cherished as well.

I suppose it’s vanity (aren’t all actors a little vain?), but maybe someday, someone will see that I’ve taken my final bow and dredge up some fond memories of our time together on stage.

The Tony, however, will stay in the family.

Rest in Peace, Corky.