I'm re-reading "Harpo Speaks!" about Adolph/Arthur "Harpo" Marx, written by him and another fellow (Harpo never finished 2nd grade). Whenever I think about fame and how it affects people, and wonder if we'll ever get out of debt and live to be able to touch people with our art, I think of Harpo.
"Harpo" Marx, born Adolph (changed to Arthur) Marx, was the 2nd of five boys, a short, Jewish 3rd generation immigrant from the Alsace-Lorraine province. He never finished 2nd grade but he loved to read, paint, act, and play any sort of game including croquet, bridge, poker, and billiards. He and his brothers were shoved into show business by their mother, but found to their astonishment that they liked it. They later appeared in several movies which were comprised of some of their old vaudeville acts. They traveled vaudeville and theatre circuits for over 15 years before making it big on Broadway. "Harpo" married late in life and stayed married to his dearest love Susan for the rest of his life. They adopted four children, one of whom went to Julliard. He was known by all as the sweetest, happiest person imaginable.
He went through the Roaring 20's, the Great Depression, and died in 1964. Everybody who met him loved him. I'm sad I never got to meet him.
I hope that whatever happens, whether fame finds us or not, that I'll still be who I am on the inside - a crazy hobbyist who just wants to stay home and play dollhouse. :)
In other news, I created my 2nd batch of business cards...I had business cards way back when but I ran out and hadn't made any since. Stu's mom had a stack of printable business cards so I've played around for a few hours with a design and finally have decided that I like what I've got. Plain and simple, black and white, but it'll look professional and still be me. I'm hoping to get some cards out to people this summer so I can play weddings and in restaurants and maybe, if I'm lucky, in a musical.
My very favorite gig I've ever had was one I wasn't paid for. During my senior year in high school, a church called to ask if I wanted to be a part of their production of The Fantastiks. I didn't know much about it but I love musicals so I said alright. It is one of my favorite musicals now and I even have a recording of the original cast (Jerry Orbach made his debut w/ The Fantastiks). We rehearsed for weeks and I just fell in love with the music. We had a great set of musicians and actors, and these Episcopalians were hilarious! I recall them quite fondly. One of the few bright spots in my horrid senior year. :P Performing in that musical with three other musicians, playing live music and accompanying the actors and actresses...was magical. It was absolutely fabulous and I wish there was another production close by so I could play it again.
Anyway...wow that was a lot of harp stuff. I've got a wedding June 6 and possibly one in November and one in December. We'll see. 2 paid weddings plus a friend's wedding in Massachusetts that I might be able to get to...if I take my little harp. :)
Alright...off to doing something else more productive, I hope...like writing and outlining for The Gentleman & The Lady. Somehow I don't feel like listening to Ethics lectures or studying for my math exam...
No comments:
Post a Comment