won a Tony for the role of Carol’s
mother in its Broadway debut – and
two of the young actresses from
Fun
Home
, current winner of the Tony
for Best Musical
Emily Skeggs
, and
Sydney Lucas
.
Ms. Burnett was showered with
adoration from the audience after the
reading. Offstage, Tony shared with
her that they almost worked together
at The Marjorie Luke Theatre for
its opening gala. It was hoped she
would play Marj Luke with Tony in
a flashback, but she was unable to do
it. It was certainly fun to see Tony
and Carol share the stage at last. As
we left the theatre, Tony and Mare could not take more than a step
without adoring fans approaching. They took the time to speak with
and take photos with fans.
After drinks and a visit to the Grand Tier Restaurant on Lincoln
Center Plaza, the three of us took a midnight stroll across
the Plaza basking in the warm glow of light reflecting off the
tall
Chagall
murals in the lobby of the Lincoln Center while
being lightly misted by the elegant center fountain. It was
a breezy but balmy early autumn evening. I can never walk
that Plaza without thinking of
Shirley MacLaine
and
Anne
Bancroft
in
The Turning Point.
We took a selfie in front of
the fountain and I cherish that fuzzy image that will always
remind me of the surreal but ever-so-perfect evening spent
celebrating friendships, decades of artistic journeys, and the
magic that is New York.
Then it dawned on me. Part of why I feel such an
internal connection to New York is that a goodly portion
of the shimmer and light that radiates from The Big Apple
is fueled by the energy, vision, and talents of artists raised,
nurtured, inspired and trained in Santa Barbara.
When I attend productions of many of our local
secondary schools, I clearly see the next generation of artists who will
carry the torch to Los Angeles,
New York, and beyond. They
too, are being bitten by the
same bug that my cohorts
and I experienced – the same
inspiration and motivation that
elevated Howard McGillan
from the orchestra pit to
a Broadway Phantom; the
mentorship of Mama Luke
that propelled Tony Edwards
and Dante DiLoreto to stage
and screen success; and the
discipline and work ethic
Carol and Bob Hanlin’s dance
classes imparted to a Tony
Award-winning Cady Huffman. Santa Barbara can be proud of its
impressive exports and those who inspire and teach them. The Great
White Way would not be as bright without the sparkling gem on the
opposite coast… the magical glow of Santa Barbara.
Anthony Edwards mugs it up with Carol Burnett
and Tyne Daly at Kaufman Music Center
40
winter
|
spring
– ON THE ARTS
(from left)
Ian Brennan, Dante DiLoreto, and Brad Hall during
GLEE at the Luke event circa 2010
(photo: David Bazemore)
