I Talked to Ted van Griethuysen
You wouldn't think it to look at me, but I am a regular Shakespeare Theatre Company audience member. Several times a year I hump on over to Sidney Harmon Hall or the Landsburgh Theater and see me some Shakespeare or other similar turgid drama, and have since the 1990s. One of the premier player for many years was Ted van Griethuysen, a barrel chested and slightly fabulous man who did all kinds of major parts for the Company. (I would have bet you 50 dollars that he was homosexual, but if so, he was married for 37 years, so what do I know? If you imagine someone who projects being a gay actor, you kind of have him.)
On March 7, I was there (STC theater) to see a French sex farce translated into English, and I was standing at a round table in the lobby eating a sandwich before the play, and he toddled over and asked if I was waiting for someone, and guestured toward the chair. Oh, no, help yourself I said. Are you sure? Oh, yes, I stand as much as possible to be kind to my back, I said, Hey, you're one of the actors here, aren't you?
He admitted he was, but was in the audience today, and we talked about The Tempest a little bit, he rested, then he toddled off. Up close, he is indeed 81, short, sturdy and very nice. I was delighted to be able to tell him truthfully that The Tempest is not my fave, but his Prospero a few years ago was incredible. Not sure why it was important to me that the he know how awesome I thought it was, but I had in some sense been waiting 17 years to tell him in person that I thought he kicked that play's ass all over the place that night. I guess he hears that kind of stuff all the time.
On March 7, I was there (STC theater) to see a French sex farce translated into English, and I was standing at a round table in the lobby eating a sandwich before the play, and he toddled over and asked if I was waiting for someone, and guestured toward the chair. Oh, no, help yourself I said. Are you sure? Oh, yes, I stand as much as possible to be kind to my back, I said, Hey, you're one of the actors here, aren't you?
He admitted he was, but was in the audience today, and we talked about The Tempest a little bit, he rested, then he toddled off. Up close, he is indeed 81, short, sturdy and very nice. I was delighted to be able to tell him truthfully that The Tempest is not my fave, but his Prospero a few years ago was incredible. Not sure why it was important to me that the he know how awesome I thought it was, but I had in some sense been waiting 17 years to tell him in person that I thought he kicked that play's ass all over the place that night. I guess he hears that kind of stuff all the time.