once more, with feeling

About a year and a half ago I had a odd gig. A woman was having a birthday party and she wanted someone to come to the Party and do some readings. No particular theme- just some readings. And if the person doing the readings could arrive at the party while it was already in progress and mingle a bit and then read all the better.

Now usaully I run from these gigs at top speed (god knows I've done my fair share of these "trained chimp" gigs) But she's a lovely lady and a big Supporter of the Northport Community Theater so I agreed. (oh... and the pay was quite generous.)

The gig went very well- I put together a selection Of Tennessee Williams letters, Some Thornton Wilder,and of course... Shakespeare. The audience was a smart Lively bunch and we had some great conversation after the presentation. (one of the old gents at the party also made me a very robust scotch and soda- he had decided that scotch had to be my drink.I didn't have the heart to tell him that chocolate milk is my drink. So when I returned to rehearsal after the party it was very ....loose)

Anyway, I went to the party in the guise of "Mr. Broadway!" ,a character I had created a few years back for a cabaret show "curated" by a wonderful singer/actor/impresario Frank Russo."Mr Broadway!" is your classic ,know nothing-know it all. I have since discovered that some guy has trademarked the title "Mr. Broadway" so you'll notice I added the all important exclamation mark so that "Mr Broadway"tm and "Mr. Broadway!"will never be confused.

ANYWAY...as I was cleaning up a bit the other day I found my notes for "Mr. Broadway!"'s opening remarks at the party. they made me laugh.

here they are:

Wherever there are three or more people gathered together-I'll be there!
Wherever people celebrate good times with good friends-I'll be there!
Wherever there is the sound of laughter and the spirit of joy in the air- I'll be there!
Wherever there is free food and/or liquor-I'll be there!
For I am MR BROADWAY!

Yes,Mr Broadway! noted wit, buff, raconteur, gourmet, gourmand, bon vivant, lothario, part time stock clerk at the Rite Aid near Columbus Circle.

Mr.Broadway! Filled with an insatiable lust for life! A joie de vivre! a je ne se qua!
Mr.Broadway! Filled with the brisket from the Carnegie Deli!...late lunch.

Ah the sights and the sounds of the Great White Way! There's a broken heart for every light burning bright along that Glittering Gulch! And Mr.Broadway! is responsible for more than his fair share of broken hearts! (at this point of the party I hinted at some torrid nights spent with the birthday girl)

So many memories of nights spent on that Naughty Thoroughfare. I remember the first night I met Tennesse Williams at Sardis! What an unforgettable evening. The food, the wine! A star studded evening, I'm sure he never forgot it either. I confused him with Tennesse Ernie Ford and forced him to sing "16 Tons" 3 times in a row before Arthur Miller knocked me to the floor and told me to stop making goo-goo eyes at Marilyn.

--- at that point we moved into the readings.

a nice evening- even though i was the "trained chimp" a well paid chimp.