While researching for my musical about Dorothy Parker, You Might as Well Live, I read that Julie Harris had been engaged to portray Mrs. Parker in a revue using Dorothy's writings. I thought the script my help me to formulate my own book. I wrote to Ms. Harris about it, and she answered me with a beautifully handwritten letter.
I became reminded of this letter just recently as I was writing my autobiography, and I thought that Julie Harris admirers would be interested in seeing her handwriting. Also, it's very unusual for a star of her caliber to have taken the time to write such a personal note, while she's busy working.
Sorry, I forgot to attach the link to the letter in my initial post. Here it is:
I worked with Ms. Harris -- who would balk to hear herself called that; she was Julie to everyone -- twice in the eighties at the start of my career. A more gracious and unpretentious person you couldn't hope to meet. And certainly someone who was beyond dedicated to her craft. Thank you for sharing.
I also enjoyed Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, though I had some problem with Jennifer Jason Leigh's portrayal. It was so glum that one wondered how Dorothy Parker could have been, along with Fanny Brice, one of the most celebrated people in New York during the Jazz Age. Interestingly, Tony-Award-Winner Michele Pawk, who was workshopping my Dorothy Parker musical while she was appearing in Cabaret with Jennifer Jason Leigh felt the same way. In fact, she refused to discuss it with Jennifer.
I, too, still have hope of a first-class New York production of my piece, You Might as Well Live. Fingers crossed. Dorothy had a great deal to say about racism and socialism, issues much in the news today. In fact, I think I will make that the subject of my next post.
joined:1/27/19
joined:
1/27/19
Posted: 3/6/19 at 12:17am