Seattle, 1984... the producer/writer & the director of a new TV show had contacted me through the theatre where I was appearing in the biggest, hottest show in town. The show had been selling out nightly for 6 months (& would run another 8 months). The pair had left a message that they loved my work in the play & thought that I had a real future doing comedy in TV & film. What a lovely & unexpected thing to hear. They wanted to offer me a role in a new TV show. This was unheard of… Hollywood types just plucking me from regional theatre & giving me a job, with no audition, a gig that would get me my SAG card. They said the show was named- Murder She Wrote & it was starring Angela Lansbury!
I was thrilled as I made my way, on foot, to the location of the shoot, studying my sides one more time as I went. When I arrived at a condo building in the Belltown neighborhood, signs pointed me to a large room filled with about 20 handsome, buff guys all carrying suit bags. I knew a lot of these young men from my gym. They were the sorts who, if they looked at me at all, would give me a snort & a look of distain. You know the type- professionally gay.
I kept thinking- “Damn! I am so stupid. You are supposed to bring your own wardrobe. How was I supposed to know that?!? Now all the gym hunks are thinking I am real nerd, for sure.” A female PA with a clipboard started calling off names & the muscle boys would each answer with a raised hand. When all the names were called & everyone was accounted for, the PA asked if anyone’s name had been left out. I sheepishly raised my hand & she asked my name. I gave said Stephen Rutledge, all the while thinking- “I knew this was too good to be true. I am not gonna get my SAG card &I don’t shoot a TV series with Angela Lansbury. It is some cruel joke!”
The PA said- “Oh, Stephen… you have your own trailer. It is around the corner & right next door to Peter Graves’ trailer. & then you need to report to wardrobe & makeup”. Well, the muscle gym boys' heads snapped as they turned to gawk at me as a handsome male PA personally escorted me to my trailer. I walked deliberately & with my head held high as I passed each single gym bunny with their suit bags their own wardrobe.
I spent my first day on a film set, sitting between takes, under a big umbrella on the roof of a Seattle tower with my new friend- Angela Lansbury. I reminded her that we had met once before, in the parking garage at the Schubert Theatre in LA, after a matinee of Gypsy that she was starring in. I was shocked that she was driving her own car & not taking a limo & that she was going home between shows. I stopped & told her how much I had loved the show & that she was the best Mama Rose ever. She asked about me & we had a nice 3 minute conversation. Ms. Lansbury said that she did not recall that incident & I chided her for not remembering. She loved it & laughed. We talked about gardening & her childhood in England & the theatre scene in Seattle. What a perfect day.
Today Angela Lansury turns an astonishing 86 years old. She continues to work after 7 decades in show biz. She appeared in A Little Night Music on Broadway last season & Madame Arcati in the 2009 Broadway revival of the play Blithe Spirit. I am sure she stays busy polishing her 5 Tony Awards, 6 Golden Globes & 11 Emmys.
Gay Icon? I have never met a gay man that didn't adore her. I know her & she is a sweetheart of a human being.
I was thrilled as I made my way, on foot, to the location of the shoot, studying my sides one more time as I went. When I arrived at a condo building in the Belltown neighborhood, signs pointed me to a large room filled with about 20 handsome, buff guys all carrying suit bags. I knew a lot of these young men from my gym. They were the sorts who, if they looked at me at all, would give me a snort & a look of distain. You know the type- professionally gay.
I kept thinking- “Damn! I am so stupid. You are supposed to bring your own wardrobe. How was I supposed to know that?!? Now all the gym hunks are thinking I am real nerd, for sure.” A female PA with a clipboard started calling off names & the muscle boys would each answer with a raised hand. When all the names were called & everyone was accounted for, the PA asked if anyone’s name had been left out. I sheepishly raised my hand & she asked my name. I gave said Stephen Rutledge, all the while thinking- “I knew this was too good to be true. I am not gonna get my SAG card &I don’t shoot a TV series with Angela Lansbury. It is some cruel joke!”
The PA said- “Oh, Stephen… you have your own trailer. It is around the corner & right next door to Peter Graves’ trailer. & then you need to report to wardrobe & makeup”. Well, the muscle gym boys' heads snapped as they turned to gawk at me as a handsome male PA personally escorted me to my trailer. I walked deliberately & with my head held high as I passed each single gym bunny with their suit bags their own wardrobe.
I spent my first day on a film set, sitting between takes, under a big umbrella on the roof of a Seattle tower with my new friend- Angela Lansbury. I reminded her that we had met once before, in the parking garage at the Schubert Theatre in LA, after a matinee of Gypsy that she was starring in. I was shocked that she was driving her own car & not taking a limo & that she was going home between shows. I stopped & told her how much I had loved the show & that she was the best Mama Rose ever. She asked about me & we had a nice 3 minute conversation. Ms. Lansbury said that she did not recall that incident & I chided her for not remembering. She loved it & laughed. We talked about gardening & her childhood in England & the theatre scene in Seattle. What a perfect day.
Today Angela Lansury turns an astonishing 86 years old. She continues to work after 7 decades in show biz. She appeared in A Little Night Music on Broadway last season & Madame Arcati in the 2009 Broadway revival of the play Blithe Spirit. I am sure she stays busy polishing her 5 Tony Awards, 6 Golden Globes & 11 Emmys.
Gay Icon? I have never met a gay man that didn't adore her. I know her & she is a sweetheart of a human being.
I always love these post so!!! Love the part about the gym hunks heads snapping when they called your name!!! If I ever get out there I could spent a whole day just listening to your stories over coffee.....or gin and tonics if you perfer!!! So many things too hear and learn!
ReplyDeleteAs gay icons go, there are few as universally popular as Miss Lansbury. I am so evnious you met her and worked with her! I hope the rumours are true and that she will indeed return to London to make her swansong stage appearance when she (finally) decides to retire... Jx
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