As we used to say when an actor took the stage, "Break a Leg." It was bad luck to wish someone good luck so if you wished him bad luck, he would have good luck. I know it makes little sense but I come from a family of actors and none of us make much sense except when we move on to other enterprises as I did.
I am double blessed next month. My son is opening in the musical version of "Christmas Carol," playing Scrooge, off-Broadway at the Sandy Meissner Theater while my 14 year old granddaughter's run with her own show, a children's show for kids from 3 to 99, with all kinds of interesting events including music by my granddaughter, puppets, cooking, crafts, games and audience participation will be continuing its run at the Green Room in NY through at least January. Take that, Hanna Montana!
Me? I retired from stage and television many years ago. The last time I appeared on TV, the camera looked like a refrigerator laying on its side on a post and it took at least two people to propel it across the floor to change camera shot angles. There were only two cameras for live dramas in those days but I wouldn't trade those wonderful years for anything.
What is funny is how the world returns to where it was if you wait long enough. The man after whom the theater my son is performing in was named, Sandy Meissner, was someone I worked with in my early days in theater. Of course, he is dead now. He was at least a generation older than I am. He was one of the titans of teaching drama along with Lee Strassberg and Jasper Deeter. I guess I am dating myself when I mention all those long-dead icons of acting teaching.
Go for it. Enjoy every minute of it. Just be cautious that you don't get yourself tangled with a phony agent who charges you a fee to list you. Real agents get paid when you do, not before!
