I was saddened to hear the news that composer Marvin Hamlisch had died after a brief illness at the age of 68. Among the many scores that he wrote, his most successful one was for the Tony award winning musical, A CHORUS LINE, which opened on Broadway in 1975.
I saw it less than 3 weeks after it opened on the big White Way. An
actor friend in NYC called and said he had a comp tix for the upcoming weekend matinee performance.
Having just been in the Big Apple the week before and not knowing very much about this musical, I declined his offer. Soon after on the phone with a friend, I mentioned the offer and he went ballistic on me and said to call my buddy in NY and beg for the tix if it was still available.
I called. He still had it. I came. I saw. I was conquered.
As I was leaving my friend's apt. to walk over to the theatre district to see the show, he handed me a sliver of paper and said to swallow it
as I was entering the theatre. Little did I know that I would be having
my first time ever experience on acid.
I sat in the front row of the mezzanine and several times an usher came over to insist that I sit down and remain seated for the remainder of the performance.
What I wanted to do was to jump from the mezzanine onto the stage (thinking I was Superman and could fly) and join the cast that day and forever.
Mercifully, I was just enough in control of my body that I did remain in my seat until the very end of the performance. Believe me it wasn't easy.
I left the theatre, my head buzzing and my body moving in what felt like several different directions, but I managed to get back to my friend's apartment in one piece. I was still tripping when I got there.
Needless to say, A CHORUS LIFE, which I have seen several times in subsequent revivals of the Pulitizer winning musical, remains a singularly memorable experience for me.
Thank you, Marvin Hamlisch, for all your wonderful music and may you rest in peace.
Kiss today goodbye and point me towards tomorrow.
I did it all for love.
