LifeSoFarLaRue

In 1966, (I think) I was in a production of "What Makes Sammy Run" with Gary Crosby as the star. While I don't remember much about the production (that's me on the left with Gary at the desk) it was not one of my favorite shows.   Gary, as dear as he tried to be had a certain sadness about him and at times it was almost palpable.  Other times, he could be the life of the party.   I don't know what he was going through in his private life, but he seemed a troubled man and I felt sorry for him.  That being said, it never showed on stage.  He was a true professional and had the Crosby talent i.e. a terrific singer.  He deserved better that the lot he got in life.   And, finally, he was one of the few that didn't give out autographed photos. Sad!

In 1984 New York City, my friend Nancy worked part time for a PR firm and had access to various "events."   She invited a few of us to attend a special screening of the latest Indiana Jones film prior to it's opening. In the attached photo you can see me (labled "you" by my friend John who sent the picture) and John himself (labled "me").   We were both wearing our satin M-G-M jackets and the logo is visible on John's back. This picture was one that appeared in the New York Daily News or The Post, I forget which. But it was quite a night.   The only celebrity I saw in attendance was Regis Philbin and his wife Joy who were standing in the lobby.    Hi, ho, the glamorous life!

My mother (on the left, above) and my Aunt Grace were very close (and the two youngest of all their siblings).   And of course living in the same small town didn't hurt either.   Looking back now, I realize how much my mother looked up to her slightly older sister.    For instance, when my cousin Jerome made a recording at a very early age overseen by an older cousin who could do such things, it only followed that I would be required to do the same.   I don't think envy was involved, just following the leader.  I remember the songs I sang (I was five). They were "Don't Fence me in" and "Accentuate the Positive."  The exact same songs Jerome had recorded the year previously. When Jerome and his parents went to Colorado on vacation,  the next year my family went to Colorado on vacation.   The following are two photos commemorating those trips. Jerome is on the left and I am on the right.   And that is a very brief summary of the...

The first pet that I remember was a kitten that I named after my grandmother, Susan.....i.e. a cat named Sue. At the time my parents ran the Corbin Café, a small but much needed business in our little town, especially at harvest time when hired hands would descend on us for their mid-day meal before returning to their waiting combines and trucks in the wheat fields. One late Saturday afternoon, after the café had closed, my parents and I got into the car for our weekly trip to Caldwell so my mom could shop, my dad could play pool and I could  tag along.  (I don't think they let me go to the movies unattended at that early age.) As we backed the car out into the street (we had no garage, just a small driveway by the house) the car gave a sudden lurch and my dad audibly gasped.  I had no idea what had happened but I knew something was wrong.  Dad quickly got out of the car and went around to the rear end.   I saw him lean  down, then stand, ho...

When I did a production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" our star was the wonderful Jerry Van Dyke. I think that's me with my arms outstretched toward Honey Sanders in the "Brotherhood of Man" number.   My long time friend, Joel Conrad was also in the show and we doubled as two cleaning ladies (Zsa Zsa and Jackie) and thankfully no pictures exist.  Just think Carol Burnett only much worse. The show was great fun to do (in fact I did it a second time with Robert Q Lewis) but the Van Dyke was my favorite.  Jerry was very quick witted and funny.  He had yet to achieve his biggest hit on the TV show "Coach," but you knew he would achieve more that his past outings in some of the "Beach Blanket" type movies. I remember asking him one time if he had learned anything from his older brother Dick.  He replied with a wink,  "Kiddo, I taught him everything he knows."    That was Jerry.   Great guy!  

Ofelia and her husband Steve have been long time friends, dating back to our days in upstate New York.  (I think Fabian first met Ofelia at the gym they both frequented and soon we were socializing with them at various functions.) But, let me tell you about Ofelia....one of the most innocent, dear people I have ever known.  She hails from Cuba and Steve fell in love with her at first sight (in Miami, I think).....Legend has it that early on in their relationship,  Steve asked her what he could give her as a present that she would love and she replied  "Tits would be nice."   And indeed, he financed a breast enlargement and the rest is history. Once, they were in our lives, I remember an early phone call from Ofelia one Christmas morning.  She needed some advice. Ofelia speaking with her lovely Cuban accent....."Hi, honey.  We have been opening our presents and my friend gave me some tea.  Do "Jou" have a recipe?"  We told her to b...

My first brush with "The Fantasticks" was a Summer stock production in which I played the boy. Years later, at the Meadowbrook, I was assigned the role of the mute in a production starring Allan Jones. For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Jones, he was a star in the 30's and 40's (as well as being the father of singer Jack Jones.)  Decidedly too old for the role of El Gallo, nonetheless the audiences loved him.  And he was a very friendly fellow. He and his lovely wife, Maria,  hosted the entire company for a party in their apartment on the upper west side of  NYC, where we were treated to a screening of one of his best films, the original 1936 film of "Showboat" with Irene Dunne, Helen Morgan, Paul Robeson and Hattie McDaniel.  He was quite dashing on screen and I was very impressed.  (It's worth a look, should it ever come your way.) But, back to the Meadowbrook.  As you may surmise, my role had no speaking lines.  The part was j...

Traditionally, the starring role in the musical "Sweet Charity" is the title character, Charity Valentine. But in the production I did, the star was Robert Cummings.   He played three parts, each a paramour of Charity.  Our Charity was a young star on the rise named Luba Lisa who tragically was killed in a plane crash on a snowy Vermont night in 1972.  Another noteworthy name in the production was Elaine Cancilla who went on to marry Jerry Orbach of  "Law and Order" fame, many years later. Robert Cummings ("Call me Bob") was a gregarious man with an infectious smile and a sunny disposition that lit up a room. In the production, I played the role of Daddy Brubeck, a kind of hippy guru.   On the plus side I had my own number with my followers, "The Rhythm of Life" and while no photos exist of my costume I remember it consisted of a fringed vest, bell bottoms, and a head pieces worn by Saudi princes.  Quite the eye catcher, I was. I enjoyed d...

I have been blessed by many women in my life....Aunts, teachers, cousins and even high school friends but one who popped into my dreams the other night, was a woman who lived just south of my small town of Corbin, Kansas.  Her name was Mable Mossman. She was a friend to my mother...(I don't know how they met but they were always in communication with each other)   Church Socials or the Rebekah Lodge?   Perhaps. At any rate, Mable had a piano and used to invite us down to her house on late afternoons so she could play her newest sheet music acquisition.   (She had an enormous collection as I recall.) She also had a fantastic salt and pepper shakers collection with, I would estimate, well over 100 pairs. Looking back, perhaps she is what got me started "collecting."  When I first moved to New York, I became fast friends with a fellow named John Amero who was as much an avid movie fan as I was. In those days, the "Road Show" was still prevalent.  (...

My second outing with Ann Sothern was a production of "Barefoot in the Park."   As I have said before she was a genuine pro as well as a genuine joy to work with.   Mine was the small part of a delivery man who was extremely winded after climbing five flights to the newlyweds apartment.  (Ms. Sothern played the mother-in- law and we had no scenes together.)  Be that as it may, I was always aware that she was watching me from the "wings" and always had a kind word of encouragement. I was the assistant stage manager on the show and also did the lighting design with the technical assistant, Bruce Candy.  I can't recall why we were assigned this task but it was my only foray into that field of production. Upon the shows closing, Ann gave me the obligatory signed photo, along with a kiss on the cheek and the parting words, "Thanks for making the old girl look good."  It was my pleasure.

Sometime in the 50's, Fabian attended the University of Tulsa where one of his classmates was  a young woman named Eddi-Rue MacClanahan.  As you can surmise, she dropped the "Eddi" when she went into show business, ultimately achieving her major fame as one of  "The Golden Girls."  When I  met him, Fabian still carried her photo in his wallet. Years later, in 1999 to be precise, I was perched on a barstool at the West Bank Café on 42nd Street in NYC, and happened to notice Rue as she made her way passed the bar headed for the ladies room.  I told my companions about her (Fabian was at the country house when this happened.) Rue was in town doing a production of "The Vagina Monologues" at a nearby Off-Broadway theater and I believe it was her day off.  As she passed by one more time on her way back to her table, I couldn't resist.  "Eddi-Rue?" I intoned. She stopped short, looked me square in the eye and said "Now, how on earth...

The Kingston Trio gave a concert at my college in the early 60's.  And being in theater, some of us were backstage, assisting with lighting, etc.   My roommates and I, at the time, lived off campus in our own house and we decided to host a party for the trio after the performance.   We tried to keep it to a minimum but the word spread like wildfire and there were probably sixty or so people who showed up for the bash. (Bringing their own refreshment, thank heavens.) The party went on into the wee hours of the morning.  And the "Trio" were all great guys and a lot of fun.   The morning after we learned that several of the sorority girls had missed curfew and were in big trouble.  So, we inadvertently created a minor scandal on campus. "Hang down your head, John Dooley" indeed.

The eyes are the window to the soul, I've been told (Shakespeare said it first).  Well, my friends my windows need cleaning! I have been battling Glaucoma more years than I care to remember.  I've done every drop and eye  insert imaginable.  I've had laser surgery numerous times on each eye (to relieve the pressure) and that has worked fine in the past.  But here comes old age. All of the drops and laser beams have run their course.   So, according to my doctor, we have to go for the real thing, later this month.(the 24th)  Real "stitch in time" stuff.  We are doing the right eye first,  (left to follow in due time).   I am not looking forward to it. No driving for the first 24 hours.  Recovery time is six weeks, blurred vision will occur, stitches in the eyes will feel like I have an eyelash floating there. Post-op appointment every week.   No bending over.   I'm not sure how I'm going to clean the cat pan.   M...

This will not be a story....call it a reminiscence.......In the spring, a young man's fancy turns to ....Pie. When I first visited Florida, I had my first taste of  Key Lime Pie...tart, tangy, creamy but not really anything I couldn't live without. Going backward, I remember all those pies that came before...... Thanksgivings of days gone past....Pumpkin, Mincemeat, and an occasional Pecan, it you made it yourself of were dining in Alabama. Early on I acquired the taste needed for Rhubarb Pie (no strawberries for me) and of course all those lovely fruit pies (Cherry, Apple and Peach) filled many a kitchen with delectable aromas. And let us not forget the pies of youth....Chocolate, Coconut, Lemon Meringue and Banana Cream.  My mom did them all splendidly.  (Mothers seem to have a way, don't they?) And I've always been perplexed as to why that perfectly lovely cake is called a Boston Cream pie. "Is a puzzlement." But perhaps my favorite pie and o...