** SET 11. **
*** Last
updated - February 22, 2003 ***
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1.
Q. Hi, I can't believe I'm writing this, I'm so
nervous! First I just have to let you know how great I think it is that you're
doing this, It's inspiring. And I saw you in Down to You, that was really
cool, I saw it in the theatre and I had no idea you were in it, and when I saw
you it was like, Lucie: Thanks for the kind words, Alison. I hope you enjoy reading all these as much as I enjoy answering them. "DOWN TO YOU" was a delightful experience. A terrific director, Henry Winkler to hug and Freddie Prinze, Jr to mother. Who could ask for anything more? My dad did pass as I held him, Alison. However, unlike the movies, people with serious illnesses (especially those on pain medication) don't always die with a memorable phrase on their lips. They are often in and out of consciousness for days before. As was the case with my dad. But, the last real words I can remember him saying were to my mother on the phone as I held it up to his ear. She had just said, "Desi, I love you. I love you. I love you." and he said, "I love you, too, Honey." By the way, that was Nov. 30, 1986. It would have been their 46th wedding anniversary. (Come to think of it, that was better than the movies!)
Q. Hello. Lucie: EVA! That's great! (Especially the comment about my awesome hair! HA! I'm trying to bring the style back right now!) My dad watched the show all the time and would call and congratulate us after certain more adventuresome episodes. He was a great support to both Desi and I throughout our careers. While I was on "Here's Lucy", I had to get my books and lesson plans from my real high school (Immaculate Heart High School in Hollywood) but, I had to be taught by a tutor just off the set for my junior and senior years. I had a great tutor, too. Irene Burke. She was a sketch. A real firecracker (and she liked her cocktails after the sunset) but an excellent teacher. (I went through three years of French in a year and a half!) She even travelled with us on 'hiatus' (when the company had weeks off) to continue school. It was only three hours a day but it was one on one and so much more concentrated and you sure couldn't disappear to the back of the room and hope not to get called on!! But, I eventually did attend the graduation ceremony with my class from Immaculate Heart (at the Hollywood Bowl, no less!). IHHS was (IS) a fabulous school and I loved every precious minute I spent there. And yes, I did have some favorite teachers while I was there. Loretta Jasmin, who taught Gym and coached all the teams and I still correspond regularly. Eloise Kline, my English teacher (and a terrific poet, in her own right), Janet Weber (who still teaches in the Art department there) is the most creative, inspirational, tireless artist I've known and she and her students are the heart and soul of that school -- My first drama teacher was Sister Suzanne (formerly Sister Doulé). She was a SAINT, with the kindest temperament and the happiest, wackiest sense of humor I'd ever seen and an absolutely excellent drama teacher. We used to get our production reviewed by Daily Variety!!!!!! Sister Suzanne died that year of cancer. It was one of the saddest moments of our lives at school. And the woman who is STILL an inspirational support in my family's life, my ex-biology teacher (I failed, hysterically) who became Principal for years and years and now runs the joint, Sister Ruth Anne Murray. These sisters changed my life as I got to watch them go through hell trying to update into the 20th Century and change theirs. They were my heroes and they still are.
Q. Hi, I'm a big fan of yours . My
question is did you ever star in The Norman Lucie: Elena -- I think you mean "The Norman Conquests" and no, I didn't. Ken Howard and Craig Wasson and I starred in a silly little picture (that was never promoted by the studios that made it) called "SECOND THOUGHTS" (which I've always said I should have probably had before making it!). But, Ken and Craig were a gas. We LOVED working together and filming in Santa Fe, NM. As
for Mike Connors, I have to confess. It seems like a thousand
years ago and all I remember was that he was a pro and a gentleman and
quite good at playing the straight man for my mother.
Q. Hi, Lucie: I've noticed that in
the dozens of questions and answers you've posted on your website, you have made only passing reference to Gary
Morton. Lucie: Well, Harvey -- I thank you for your description of me. I hope that's true. I'm working on it. And, well, gosh -- I mostly answer what people have asked. So, I guess not many questions have come up about Gary. But, let me tell you, he was a big kid. Loved to be silly and make jokes - nearly all the time. Made my mother laugh constantly, which was what she appreciated most about the relationship, tried really hard to be a good dad to Desi and me (which, now that I have had the adventure of being a stepparent, myself, I can tell you is a hell of a lot harder than you think it's going to be) and he had excellent taste - in architecture, decor, clothes, cars, music. I developed my musical likes and dislikes from both of my dads. Gary knew, worked with (as a comic) and listened to the music of the greats - Ella, Bobby Darin, Sinatra, Rosie Clooney, Sammy Davis, Dean Martin, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Keeley Smith & on & on and I learned to love and really appreciate those kinds of songs. He died in 1999 of lung cancer (just like my dad did in 1986!) and his widow, Susie, and I still miss him. Thanks for asking about him.
Q. Lucie, Lucie: Becky -- Thanks. That's a very hard question to answer. Sometimes it's nice (mostly when they are recognising some work that I've just done). But at other times it can be depressing because they know my name or my face but only because of who I'm related to; which feels "weird" like you said, and I sometimes have to work very hard not to let that upset or depress me. It's up to me to "show up" more often myself so that folks have something about me to talk to me about. I have always known that, but, for the last 10-12 years I have had to slow all that down to be a good mother to my three children and so I lost a bit of traction in that area. Hopefully it will all even out soon.
Q. Hi, Lucie, I just spent a 1/2 hour
reading all your previous questions and answers as I just found this site, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity
to write to you. I'm 33 and from LI, NY. Years ago, I was lucky
enough to see you on Broadway in They're Playin' Our Song and you were brilliant - I
have the CD and play it all the time. I love your voice so much.
Also, I adored you in The Jazz Singer - you were so incredible in that and I watch it at least once a year like a Lucie: KRS (are you male or female?? :-) ), I'm so happy that you got to see "Song" and that you remember it so well. (You were about 11, right??) And I loved "THE JAZZ SINGER", too. I wish I still kept in touch with Neil. But, we had such a full and satisfying relationship making that film together, it can last forever and make up the difference. I still buy his albums. The documentary "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie", which is available for sale right here on this website (plug, plug!) was indeed a labor of love for me and a lot of emotion went into finding just the right tone. Desi didn't produce the film but he was an invaluable source of information and I certainly couldn't have done it justice without his input. I'm happy it moved you the way it did.
Q. My name is Rob W. Case and I was
wondering a few things. I experienced "Here's Lucy" for the very first time a couple of years ago. It was on
for several months and taken off. Why do you think that that series is one of those hard to find series like Lucy's "Life With
Lucy?" Is it perhaps
because it was so much like "The Lucy Show?" Another question I would like to
ask is about the CBS TV-movie "Lucy and Desi: Before the laughter," I heard
that you did not like the way they portrayed the story of your parents, what really
happened? Anyway, going to you personally, I think that you were a beautiful lady in those
Here's Lucy reruns. You are still pretty hot. Lucie: Rob -- Hot is good. I'll take hot!! And the reason "Here's Lucy" isn't on a lot here is, I guess, they have a lot of Lucy to choose from and the classic show is still the original "I Love Lucy". "Here's Lucy" was, I thought, a pretty good accomplishment for those days, though. Six seasons with, at least, six or seven full-fledged musicals in it each year. Who did that? What other show on television like that can boast that variety, those guest stars? I was very proud to have cut my teeth on that program. And it is being syndicated in several other countries even though you don't always find it in the U.S.
You heard right about the movie CBS did
in 1990. It was dreck. But I didn't have to do or say much -- the
reviewers and the audience said it all for me. OY! And they
apparently are trying it again. There's yet again ANOTHER bio on them due
to air on CBS this year. I have nothing to do with this one either
-- but, this time I didn't even want to read the script. (Life is
stressful enough these days) I hope they do a good job this time.
Q. Hi, Lucie. I can't believe that I
am writing to you. I have loved watching I Love Lucy for years and this year my 8 year old daughter started
watching. I am happy to hear that you and your brother are doing well.
I am sure that your parents are very proud of you. My question is related to
Christmas. What was you favourite Christmas memory? Thanks for answering. Lucie: Mary -- you are. You are writing to me. ("Clap if you believe!") This is the time of year I do remember all of our Christmas' past and there have been dozens of wonderful ones. But, I guess there are two that tie for 1st place. One was waking up at 4am or something in Sun Valley, Idaho on Christmas morning (after being told for a week that we probably wouldn't have any snow for Christmas that year) and standing at the window with my brother looking outside to see if we could catch Santa in the act and seeing big, huge snow flakes fall from the sky. It snowed all night and we had 3" by morning. It was a miracle! And the other would be one Christmas when we all went up to visit one of my children at the boarding school they attended and (for whatever reason) they weren't going to be able to come home for Christmas, so we took Christmas up to them. We chopped down a baby tree in the forest, made all of our own ornaments and had to be very selective with the gifts we gave each other because we could pack rooms full of presents! It was the most loving and meaningful Christmas we ever had. But this year we're heading off with the whole family to a tiny beach house on Maui. That stands to make the list for next year, I'm sure!
Q. Lucie, Lucie: Dear Jo -- What a joy it is to be even a small part of a legacy that has done so much to heal the planet. I thank you for sharing your remarkable story with all of us and I admire your tenacity and obvious sense of self. You must have always known you'd survive and so you did. Bravo! I hear similar stories from time to time and it just serves to remind me that for whatever their own personal problems, my parents and their wonderful collaborators (the producer, writers, directors) certainly left us some magic, didn't they? As for my own personal magic -- I am SO flattered that you think I still look good. Not bad for half a century, right?..... (Hold it. I have to go and pick up myself from the floor after that comment.) Well, I whipped my metabolism into shape while being pregnant those three times, I think. I just began to pay more attention to what and when I eat. Also, I keep pretty active. My work usually had me dancing and singing eight shows a week for years so I didn't have to go to gym or train. Now, as I do less of that "sweat" work and have added a few years to my bio, I find that I have to find time to "WORK OUT" and every once in a while I'll go back to my "Somersizing" diet routine. Suzanne Somers' way of eating. It helps me sculpt the areas that I tend to gain. As for wrinkles or all that stuff - Clinique products, little make up most ordinary days and excellent genes! (Oh yeah, I don't smoke, do drugs, caffeine or eat much sugar.) I haven't had to be nipped & tucked. But, I reserve the right to if I want in a few years! As long as I don't come out looking like Joan Rivers!!!
Q. Dear Lucie, Lucie: Gee, Renee -- There's a lot of meat in this email, where to start? I was happy with the "I Love Lucy" 50th Special, too. Considering we had to make it happen during and after September 11th! But isn't it funny how the "Spirits" work? "I Love Lucy" was born so that just when the world needed its most massive dose of healing laughter it could be there to give it to them. (There are no accidents, right?) Anyway, "Heaven Knows" is a remarkable song that I have actually had since 1990 and the start of the Gulf War. It seemed appropriate to take it out and update the lyrics a bit and use it to sooth, now. Glad you agree. You can buy a copy of it. Let Laura (my webmistress) know and she will arrange it for you. The gentlemen who wrote it (Ron Abel & Chuck Steffan) have copies they can sell you -- All the money goes to the Twin Towers Fund. And, trust me, we all feel awkward and somewhat out of place in our teen years - having famous parents doesn't make it easier or harder. It's tough finding out who YOU are. When you say "out of place" I'm not quite sure what it means to you, specifically. But, generally, you are trying to be who too many other people want you to be right now (Because you have to. You're young and you have to have people to guide you.) But, soon you'll feel more comfortable making choices that are just for you. Be true to you, Renee and make choices that are good for Renee. Your heart knows all you'll ever need to know about good & bad - right & wrong. Follow your heart. Then no matter where you are as long as you are there, you'll know you're in the right place. Good Luck!
Q. Dear Lucie: Lucie: I shall do, Rod and I totally agree. Great story and so typical of my dad. Thanks.
Q. Several years ago, my wife and I saw
you in St. Louis with your husband in "Social Security". We thoroughly enjoyed the play but the
greatest thing that night was meeting you and your husband afterwards. You both were so
wonderful to stop and talk to my wife and I. We were fans before but that really made us big fans. I would love to be able to keep up on your life.
Do you have any kind of newsletter to keep your fans posted? We've visited
the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown and really enjoyed it. I'm still upset at CBS whenever I think of them cancelling "Sons and
Daughters." We
liked that show very much. Do you have any plans to tour with anything? What is your family doing? Are your children in show business? I'm sorry to rattle
on but I'm new to this, having just gotten a computer. Please answer when you can. My name is Michael Guill. Lucie: Michael -- Welcome to computer-land! (Try to exercise your shoulders every once in a while - that's my advice to novices) And, hey, THIS IS my newsletter!!! Right now (and for a while) there just hasn't been much to print. I have been occupying myself with nightclub gigs, lecture circuits and family -- But soon I'll be "on the boards" once more. April 22 thru May 18 I'll be starring in a new play at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, Florida. I do not have plans to tour as of now and for decades I wouldn't even consider it due to my family obligations. But, most of my kids are at the age where, if I find a worthy project, I could conceivably do another. My family? My husband's touring every so often (and just closed a successful NY engagement) in one of his historical one-man portraits. The most recent was "TEDDY TONIGHT!" on Teddy Roosevelt. My brother writes music and records with a new group, Ricci, Desi & Billy (check out their website for details), runs a beautifully restored old historic theatre in Nevada and a Children's Ballet Company with his wife, Amy and daughter, Haley Arnaz. My kids (22, 20, 18) are studying drums, guitar and voice respectively and are doing pretty darn well, I'm proud to say. I give lectures on "Surviving Success" (the art of balancing work and parenting) - CD available on this site, also (Plug! Plug!), enjoy performing on stage with my concert shows, am an active board member of both The American Theatre Wing and The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Centre, Inc. in Jamestown, which manages the Lucy-Desi Museum there. We're a very close and very interesting group. Visit us again!
Q. Hello, Lucie: YES, HE WAS!! He wasn't the BOY, however, he was the STAGE MANAGER, he says! The original cast! (He's 705 years old!!) (JUST KIDDING) Don't know why his name isn't on their website. For shame! It should be. When the play finally closed after all these years, they did list his name along with all the other stars in the N.Y. Times. Ah, well, the fleeting, fickle face of fame!
Q. Lucie, have you ever been on Oprah? Lucie: Dear Chris -- Yes. Twice. She's an amazing gal, isn't she? Do you realise that she almost single-handedly changed the talk show genre back into something worthwhile? That takes guts and class and she has plenty of both. I am one of her biggest fans.
Q. Ok, what the freak........ Im probably
the only African American that is a Lucie: Well, Girl! You go! Love your ATA-TUDE. But, hey, you are not the only one, I assure you! Lucy knows no colour. (Hey, even the show was in BLACK AND WHITE!!) And, truth is, our museum NEVER closed. The organisation which had been managing it at the time wanted people to think that. They tried to tell people that my brother and I wanted to move it out of Jamestown. We never wanted that. We just had to get it into more capable hands, which it now is and the doors only closed for a weekend during the transition period. Please come and visit our new & improved website and see how far we've come in less than a year (Lucy-Desi.com). Now here are your answers. Advice from Mom about guys? Only once. "NEVER let a man touch you there." And I never even asked. Fav "CHICK FLICK" -- I'm not sure I know that. She was in and very proud of "Stage Door" and if that's not a real CHICK FLICK, I don't know what is! Music she'd "JAM" to? -- (HA! That's cute right there - the image of my mother JAMMIN') -- Well -- She loved Bobby Darin's "MACK THE KNIFE," I hope this helps, 'cause I do not want to see you with little bald patches all over your head, woman. :-)
Q. Hi, Lucie: Lucie: Robert & Tim -- What a lovely story. I'm so happy to have that picture of her on that flight in my mind. She could sure slay 'em when she wanted, couldn't she? And I'm delighted that you enjoy our site. Laura Johansen does an incredible job of keeping it fresh and making it interesting and easy to navigate. (A round of applause for Laura, please!) However, since you're both such Lucy fans, you should really be visiting sites about her or the "I Love Lucy" shows. May I recommend Lucy-Desi.com, LucyLibrary.com & WeLoveLucy.com. Thanks for visiting us and hope to see you at one of my performances or talks one day.
Q. Hi, Lucie Lucie: Bev -- You're very kind and I guess my response to Jo above would be appropriate for your question, as well. As a younger person, my heroes, if that's what we want to call them, are the same as they are now - ordinary people. People who get and keep pretty ordinary, "keep the world turning type jobs," who sacrifice for their families by doing jobs that don't always get the applause and who still manage to be "present" for the children. People who pay their bills and don't try to cheat anyone, who don't break the law, who give back to society and help their neighbors. These men and women have always been the people I wanted to be like.
Q. Dear Ms. Arnaz, Lucie: Dear Noel -- First of all, let me say how impressed I am that, at fourteen, you have even found, much less read my dad's autobiography. Wasn't it a great read? Truthfully, Noel, I cannot remember exactly what my mom's first reaction to it was (I was a very self-absorbed 23 year old at the time), but I certainly don't remember her being upset about it either. (And, trust me, she would have made sure we knew if she was!) She certainly read it. She did not help him write it. He did that completely by himself at his houses in Del Mar, California and in Baja. But, he surely would have called her to jog his memory from time to time. They were always very supportive of each others' ventures. I don't think there were any portions of the book that would have been embarrassing to my mother. If anything, he kept all the details fairly tame and humorous re: his amorous escapades. Too bad Dad never got to read her autobiography, which she never told us she'd written back in 1964 and shelved. We found it after she passed away and published it a few years ago. It's called "Love, Lucy." Give it a whirl. It's a different perspective of the same years. But she too - was kind and didn't vent too much. But, for some reason, she felt it wasn't "safe" to publish then. Who knows?!
Q. Dear Ms. Arnaz: Lucie: Luis -- I do remember. Very clearly. My dear, darling Austin Kirby had taken suddenly very ill (we later found out he was suffering with AIDS and a year later he died. He was only about 23). But, that night we didn't know what to do! "The show must go on," sure, but how, with props that had to be rushed on from stage left AND stage right simultaneously and I only had TWO dancers?? It was a huge number (NOT "It Had To Be You." I never sang that.) I believe the number you helped out in was Billy Joel's "Modern Woman." Right? Someone threw a ton of cheap orders at you in the wings, told you what to carry and where to go and someone on stage (me?) pointed you back off again. It was great theatre!! And we all pulled it off thanks to your gutz and chutzpah! Austin's death was a terrible loss to me. He was with me from the very beginning and sometimes a dancer would have to quit to take a better gig or a play (it was never Austin), he'd stay and re-rehearse the show and teach all the numbers to the new guy. He was a gift. When I lost him, I couldn't bear finding someone to replace him. I eventually took the dancers out of the show and travelled with two vocalists instead. Today I usually work alone. But thank you, Luis, for being such a terrific sport and saving the day for us. I'm so glad to have contact with you to tell you how much that night meant to all of us, too!!! You're the best.
Q. Hi, Lucie! Lucie: Well, Tommy, I so appreciate your compliments and comments on my career accomplishments. I love what I do and it helps me to do it well when I get feedback as supportive as yours. Thanks. As for creating a Desilu, too production company, I already have one. It's called Just Arluck Productions. Desilu was appropriately a combination of the first names of the people who were involved in its production (Desi and Lucy) and my husband, Larry Luckinbill, and I created a similar company (for which we produced "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie") with a tip of the hat not only to Desilu but to my grandmother, DeDe Ball, who was known for signing her name as "Just DeDe." We hope we are continuing the same kind of quality programming & theatrical productions for which Desilu was known. And Dad did care for his mother (my grandmother), Dolores Arnaz, throughout his lifetime. He provided 24-hour, round-the-clock care for her when she began to suffer terribly from what turned out to be terminal arthritis which eventually left her crippled and with total mental deterioration due to Alzheimer's Disease. She really didn't do anything much during her life (I guess maybe she never got over not being the wealthy wife of a Cuban Mayor anymore) and after she became ill she really had very little concept of reality. She didn't even realise that my dad had died, which was a blessing, in a way. It must be horrible to outlive your children. After Dad died I became her conservator and we took care of her until the illnesses finally won and she died two years later. Someday I'll tell this entire story in great detail and it'll blow your mind. P.S. I'll be sure and post any performances close to Colorado Springs on this website. I've been there. It's glorious and I'd love to return.
Q. Hi, Lucie Lucie: Rick, you're sweet. Did I? Become the next Babs or Bette? NOT. Oh, well. The movie tanked but the people loved it and I came off okay with the rabid critics. (Ouch!) It was called "THE JAZZ SINGER" and it was a delightful experience from day one. The film was having lots of problems at the top before I came into it and heads were flying. I actually replaced Deborah Raffin (who I'm certain was great) due to insecurities from the top. But once it all settled down and they acquired a new director, Richard Fleisher, who could make Mr Diamond feel safe, we were on our way. I loved working with Neil. He was such a pal to me and he's not a little bit cute - right?? And need I even tell you what it was like for me to be allowed on the set to watch Sir Laurence Olivier work whenever I wanted to? We only had two scenes together, but, I never missed a chance to watch him process the information and create his role. And what a kind and eloquent man. I was a very, very lucky young lady. I did a couple of films after that, "SECOND THOUGHTS," for the same company (EMI) and many years later "DOWN TO YOU" with Freddie Prinze, Jr and Julia Stiles (see question one and three above). I have been in numerous television films in the meantime, but, primarily, I have focused my energies on live performing, either Broadway, national tours, or concert engagements. But, if ya hear of anything.......
Q. Hi, Lucie, Lucie: Amy -- I have no idea how old you are or who else might be reading this, so I'll curb the expletives. But, CBS is still trying to apologise for that. And, well, they should. Grade = F- !!!!
Lucie: Dear Greg -- What a great idea. I hope I'm not too late to be included, but, here goes: 1) My father used to tell me: "Think things through. And if you really cannot decide what you should do in a difficult situation, don't do anything." (It just means that you do not have enough information yet to allow you to make a good decision. If you wait, eventually another piece of the puzzle will fall into place and you will know what to do). VERY WISE & I have used it dozens of times with great success. 2) My mother would always say, "Be good to Lucie." And, by that, she meant - make decisions that will benefit Lucie (yourself) that will not be harmful to you. That sounds so general, but it sure does the trick. It reminds you to take your vitamins, get enough rest, stay away from the people who are hurting themselves and just be ready to do your best job - all the time. 3) Another very useful comment was one my husband said to me while I was tossing and turning over how to objectively AND lovingly edit the "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie" documentary I made. He simply said, "Follow Your Heart." I did. We won an Emmy!
Lucie: Clarissa, I wish I could say, "yes, I starved & that's how I earned my stripes." But, truth be told, I started out on a top 10 TV show ("Here's Lucy") so, by the time I even went on my first actual audition, I had a television name/recognition and so getting seen for parts wasn't an issue. I was usually hired without much auditioning - people wanted "a name". Problem with that is I do not get asked to audition very often, nor even sent scripts. Producers judge you a lot from what they "think" you do based on something else they saw, OR they think you're too big to audition so they don't even ask. It's being stuck between a rock and a hard place as they used to say (what the hell does that mean, anyway?). But, I have actually auditioned very infrequently in my career. The good news is except for one or two occasions, I have gotten everything I went up for. But, I still wish I had a track record of going through the endless rejection process so it could help toughen my skin - which has never happened.
Lucie: Todd -- This is a business of gutz and passion as much as anything else. You can never be too old for those. Go for it. P.S. Desi is still yaking til it's time to tell him to sit back down. Only now he's really starting to make sense! :-)
Lucie: Okay, Walter. You're really freaking me out. I read this to my husband and he and I both think you're hallucinating!! (Just kidding) But, I have absolutely no, zero, zilch, nada memory of EVER seeing "Life With Lucy" filmed. I saw tapes and I saw it when it premiered but, I never once attended a taping.... unless I, too, am suffering from Alzheimer's and need serious help (which isn't out of the question). In any case, I will dig and dig to find my journals from that period of time. (I do keep fairly accurate accounts of my whereabouts that way) and if I find that you are correct and I am mistaken, I will post a big note to you here, I promise, okay? Thanks for writing and I'm happy you did get an opportunity to witness my Mom's final venture. I'm sure she appreciated it.
Lucie: Oh, Breonna -- Time. It just takes time and you mustn't bottle up your grief to feel another day. It only poisons the days ahead of you. Feel it. Cry. A lot. Talk about him - a lot. Write about him - write TO him. Tell him how you are feeling. I don't believe it's simply an exercise. They hear you. And don't expect to magically stop being sad. Appreciate that your sadness is your tribute to him. He will be honoured by your reminiscences. But if you wallow in your grief too long even he will want you to stop and move on. He lived his life. At some point, get back to living and enjoying yours. God bless him and you.
Lucie: Margaret -- I get so many letters like yours and inevitably I end up getting thanked for a genius and a truth that was not mine. I wish I could claim it as my own creative stroke of God's amazing hand, but, alas, it fully belongs to an entire other legion of very deserving beneficiaries. But, I agree with everything you said and I also believe it was no accident. When something is that powerful and that healing for that long. It was channelled brilliance. Thank God for it, not me. Love, Lucie.
Lucie: WHAT????!!!??? (excuse the over-punctuation but I really shouted that out loud after reading your email) That's the first I have heard about Lorna Luft and I having a "joint nightclub" act together, much less that we apparently already have a booking at the Cinegrill in Hollywood (didn't they close that place??). No one has approached me about this and I'm sure they won't be. I am a great fan of Lorna's but, we, most likely wouldn't put an act together (Perhaps this is why you haven't heard anything in regards to a date!! HA!) On the other front, I am really happy that my "Surviving Success" talk has been of help to you and your friend. It is my truth and it's a message that was very important for me to get and I feel I am kind of obligated to share it. Thank you for letting me know that you think so, too.
Lucie: Brandon, Thanks so very much. Some of the work you mention I did quite a while ago and it's very comforting to know that it can still MOVE people (some who weren't even born when I did it!). I had a wonderful time in both "SONG" and "THE JAZZ SINGER" and I consider my work in both very honest and true. I doubt I would go back and change much - even if I could - it just worked - and I am so very grateful to have been given those opportunities to grab and chew on. (You know - the opportunities abound, but, we don't always use our opportunities well.) And being in a long run? Well, it's different with each production. Some scripts are meatier than others, have depth that you can explore for months and months and still find different truths - others are less interesting - or less well-constructed - and the holes in the reality that we must create are easier to see and so it's harder and less fun to do night after night - filling in what the author (or maybe the director) left out. Being on a television series is easier - because you play the same character but she can grow and change constantly as the scripts do. But, even after a decade or so, even the best actors in the very best vehicles ("FRIENDS?") need to move on and do other work. The thing to remember is to approach each performance (especially in the theatre where it's the same work each week) as if it's the first time your character has heard any of this, has said or thought these things - find it - each time anew. And that's the challenge and the joy for people in the theatre. After that, there's a whole book I could write about bearing up under the possible stresses associated with working with an entirely new set of actors/creative folk each production and dealing with each of their own set of idiosyncrasies, neurosis, egos, senses (or lack of) humor, etc. That's probably the hardest part. It can be very difficult. There are some really mean & selfish & untalented people out there who can ruin it for everyone else. But there are also the Tommy Tunes, the Jerry Hermans, the Marian Seldes, the Neil Simons, the Richard Fleichers, the Sandy Duncans, the Tony Roberts & Robert Kleins & Kevin Kleins & on & on & on & on with names you wouldn't recognise who make it all worthwhile and keep us coming back. I hope you get to do what you love to do - it's the best thing in the world. Bonne Chance! Merde! and Break a leg!
Love, |
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