Norman Would Be Proud

Tonight I gathered with a group I like to call a second family at the November Theater. You couldn't really call it a party, and it wasn't for a show, although the audience was filled with show people. The group was the Richmond Theatre Community, and we gathered to say goodbye and remember and honor one of our own, Andy Boothby. Andy left us way to soon this past Tuesday. He and I were born the same year only 8 months apart. He was older. He wouldn't want me to share that, but he was. When I heard the news, I couldn't believe it. Obviously I was not the only one shocked as several friends tonight shared the same sentiment. You kind of just thought he would always be around. His was a light you couldn't imagine going out, but it did, and it rocked all of our worlds. As I often do, when I am moved, I take to blogging. When I heard about Andy, I couldn't blog because I was in tech week for a show. Andy would totally understand that, and it wouldn't bother him in the least. He was an actor, and a damn good one! The first time I saw Andy on stage was when he played Tito in Lend Me a Tenor at Swift Creek Mill. He was wonderful, and I remember thinking, "Who is this new guy?" The first show I did with him was an adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera also at Swift Creek. This was the first time I heard the phrase,"Norman, I believe we shall give them a good one tonight!" We didn't appear on stage together again until we did A Christmas Carol at Theatre IV. He was playing Ghost of Christmas Present, a fitting role for Andy as he consumed life and all its joys. Those were the only 2 shows Andy and I did together, but every time I would see him I could always count on a hug and a kiss. I saw Andy in several shows, but my favorite performance was his role as the boyfriend in Hanover Tavern's On Golden Pond . It was such a departure from Andy's real life persona. He played him with nervousness, and vulnerability perfectly. He was superb! The last time I saw Andy was about 9 months ago. He did me a favor and spent a day with a bunch of high school kids judging a forensics competition. We shared lunch and conversation and of course a hug and a kiss. I didn't know it would be the last one I would receive. Maybe I would have held on a little longer. If you ever did a show with Andy, at places you would hear him bellow, "Norman, I believe we shall give them a good one tonight!" Andy, you did give them a good one on stage and off and Norman would have been proud!

A Guest at Norman's Summer Home

This past Saturday, I was treated to an afternoon at the theater by my sister. She had won tickets to "On Golden Pond" at Barksdale's Hanover Tavern on Facebook. I had been wanting to see this show since its opening, so I was a happy camper, or should I say happy pond tourist? I loved this movie back in 1981, but I had never seen the play. It was delightful, especially watching the back and forth between Ethel, played by Kelly Kennedy and Norman, played by Joe Inscoe, but this play is not about a summer's stay on Golden Pond. It is about Norman Thayer and everyone's relationship with him, his long and loving relationship with his wife, Ethel. His brief, awkward encounter with his soon-to-be son-in-law, Bill Ray (played wonderfully by Andy Boothby), the new bonding relationship he builds with soon-to-be grandson Billy Ray ( a role you could tell Eric Pastore had a wonderful time playing) and his strained relationship with his daughter, Chelsea. Considering the play revolves around Norman, he has to be played by a POWERHOUSE of an actor. Joe Inscoe is that and so much more! I had the honor and privilege of working with Joe this past December in "A Christmas Carol" with Theatre IV. Eventhough he and I have been in Richmond Theatre for a lot of the same years, this was the first opportunity I had gotten to work with him. Joe was our Scrooge, and he was amazing!!!!! I found myself standing in the wings many times just watching him work. Cedric Hardwicke said, “When [actors] are talking, they are servants of the dramatist. It is what they can show the audience when they are not talking that reveals the fine actor.” If there was ever a quote to describe Joe Inscoe as an actor that would be it. When you watch Joe on stage, you never think, "He's acting." He never looks like he's "acting". You feel like your watching this person's life, that you have been invited in to look through that 4th wall to glimpse a piece of the everyday of whichever character he happens to be playing. Last Saturday, I happened to be invited into the world of Norman Thayer, and I found myself wishing I were older so I could trade places with Kelly Kennedy just once to play Ethel. If you can't tell, I'm a big Joe Inscoe fan, and Richmond Theatre is lucky to have him. Henry Fonda won an Oscar for his portrayal of Norman back in 1981. I sure hope we'll be hearing, "And the RTCC award for Best Actor goes to Joe Inscoe." It plays at Hanover Tavern through August 28th. From what I've heard, most performances are sold out, but you owe it to yourself to call just in case a seat has opened up.