THAT VOICE, THOUGH
When I was sixteen years old, I fell in love with a sailor named Gabey. He was charming, idealistic, and about the handsomest man I had ever seen. And oh boy, could he sing. He had two loveable sidekicks with him, equally handsome and charming, and they were singing and dancing their way through a 24-hour shore leave in New York City.
I was sitting in the audience at the Modesto Youth Theater. It was the eighth musical I’d seen at MYT, and with each show I’d fallen more and more in love with musical theater. But this time – seeing and hearing Gabey sing “Lonely Town” sent me over the edge, and the following summer I overcame my shyness and signed up to be in the chorus of the next MYT production. Gabey’s charisma had touched my teenage heart, and I wanted to be a part of his circle of friends. They all looked like they were having so much fun up there on the stage, and no amount of shyness was going to keep me from being a part of it.
And that’s how it began. I sang in the chorus of the next show, then played clarinet in the orchestra, sang in the chorus several times, helped build sets, and even found my way into a few featured roles. My school girl crush on “Gabey” transitioned to a life-long friendship with Terry James, the actor who had portrayed him. And lifelong friendships with Robert, Candy, Jim, Talbott, Melanee, Annie, Holly, Brian, Karen, and so many more of those kids I’d seen on MYT’s stage over the years.
Terry went on to a successful career as a musical theater performer and eventually became the Executive Producer at the Marriott Theatre outside of Chicago. Last year, for Terry’s birthday, his team at Marriott Theatre put together a highlight reel of some of his greatest moments as an actor on their stage. When I watch it – when I listen to it – I am flooded by memories of my friendship with Terry; each golden memory a treasure. Besides his innate charisma and amazing voice, Terry is smart and funny, and a delight to spend time with. We worked on projects together, we laughed, we performed in shows together, and we spent lots of time just hanging out with the gang, enjoying the seemingly endless hours of our youth. Besides friendship, Terry instilled confidence in me. He believed in my talent and encouraged me. When he directed a big musical revue one summer, he brought me along as one of his Assistant Directors – and cast me in several featured solos in the show. I always felt like Terry believed in me. And if someone as talented as Terry James believed in me – well, then, I must be okay.
Who inspired you? An old friend? A teacher? A movie star? I enjoy remembering back to the touchstone moments in my life, and thinking about how many people and events helped create the me I am today. One of the earliest inspirations in my theater life, one of my cherished friends who has remained a friend after all these years, … and even though we rarely get to see each other any more, living so far apart …. Terry will always be in my heart.
And oh, that voice. Take a listen.