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w i t
by margaret
e d s o n
6
A gentleman from Bokelia wrote:
April 1, 2001
Dear Ms. Crow,
After viewing your performance In Wit las evening, I had to start today by writing to you. I am 72 years old and a long time ardent theatre goer. This is my first fan letter.
Never have I experienced being so absorbed and pulled into a performance as you accomplished with me by your performance of Vivian Bearing, Ph. D. You personified the art of acting in that performance. Beyond the role you so magnificently portrayed, you caused me to wonder and try to understand how an actor can give so much of himself to the role. I cannot fathom how you so this role day after day for weeks on end. Your performance was a classic.
My wife who underwent 10 months of chemotherapy in 1988 wondered at how you portrayed the essence of the chemotherapy patient's feelings. I often saw in her, then, the despair that you portrayed on stage.
I am sure you learned in preparing yourself for the role, that a cancer patient's greatest tool towards hanging in there is hope. We learned that was best accomplished by having short term goals, She started chemo in January and had just received, as a Christmas present from our son, tickets to the Phantom for the coming September. At the time we lived in Orlando, Fl. She made it a goal that she would see that performance in New York. We had to arrange that she be admitted to a hospital in New York in order that she may be able to receive her scheduled chemo. We saw the show. Her other goal was to have another martini in life. Tonight we will toast you with a good Bombay gin martini.
We are off next week to the Los Angeles area to visit with our son... who is .... at the Pasadena Playhouse. During our three weeks there we will see much theatre, thanks to him. I know nothing will top Saturday nights experience, which was made possible by your performance.
Viva la theatre and milles bravas to you. Again, thank you.
April 1, 2001
Dear Ms. Crow,
After viewing your performance In Wit las evening, I had to start today by writing to you. I am 72 years old and a long time ardent theatre goer. This is my first fan letter.
Never have I experienced being so absorbed and pulled into a performance as you accomplished with me by your performance of Vivian Bearing, Ph. D. You personified the art of acting in that performance. Beyond the role you so magnificently portrayed, you caused me to wonder and try to understand how an actor can give so much of himself to the role. I cannot fathom how you so this role day after day for weeks on end. Your performance was a classic.
My wife who underwent 10 months of chemotherapy in 1988 wondered at how you portrayed the essence of the chemotherapy patient's feelings. I often saw in her, then, the despair that you portrayed on stage.
I am sure you learned in preparing yourself for the role, that a cancer patient's greatest tool towards hanging in there is hope. We learned that was best accomplished by having short term goals, She started chemo in January and had just received, as a Christmas present from our son, tickets to the Phantom for the coming September. At the time we lived in Orlando, Fl. She made it a goal that she would see that performance in New York. We had to arrange that she be admitted to a hospital in New York in order that she may be able to receive her scheduled chemo. We saw the show. Her other goal was to have another martini in life. Tonight we will toast you with a good Bombay gin martini.
We are off next week to the Los Angeles area to visit with our son... who is .... at the Pasadena Playhouse. During our three weeks there we will see much theatre, thanks to him. I know nothing will top Saturday nights experience, which was made possible by your performance.
Viva la theatre and milles bravas to you. Again, thank you.
Dear Ms. Crow,
Congratulations on your performance in 'W;t'. I don't usually write fan letters but your interpretation of Vivian merits accolades.
Sincerely,
(a handwritten thank-you card)
A couple from Fort Myers wrote:
April 11, 2001
Dear Ms. Crow,
Last Saturday my wife, Linda, and I were privileged to sit in awestruck appreciation during your performance in W;t. Being an English major, I am tempted to seek to employ high-blown rhetoric to express our tearful enjoyment of your portrayal of Dr. Bearing. To do so would beggar the description of the quality of your work.
Simply let me say, we were captivated by the unblinking honesty of the characterization of many health care personnel, the thoughts, fears, denials that visit themselves on seriously ill people. Your work well illustrated what comes to every human mind ... when they contemplate the time when the Grim Reaper comes to collect his irresistible due. This bleak fear tortures the minds of all who inhabit the earth, irrespective of what anyone says ... 'There are no atheists in foxholes!'
Your exit in the final scene was magnificent. We are Christians, and we long for the day when life's storms have ended and we will be able to step into the brilliant light and love of our Redeemer's presence. All this you brought flawlessly to mind as you 'exited the stage of life and stepped smilingly into immortality.'
Well, well done! We look forward to the opportunity to enjoy any future plays in which you may appear. Godspeed.
April 11, 2001
Dear Ms. Crow,
Last Saturday my wife, Linda, and I were privileged to sit in awestruck appreciation during your performance in W;t. Being an English major, I am tempted to seek to employ high-blown rhetoric to express our tearful enjoyment of your portrayal of Dr. Bearing. To do so would beggar the description of the quality of your work.
Simply let me say, we were captivated by the unblinking honesty of the characterization of many health care personnel, the thoughts, fears, denials that visit themselves on seriously ill people. Your work well illustrated what comes to every human mind ... when they contemplate the time when the Grim Reaper comes to collect his irresistible due. This bleak fear tortures the minds of all who inhabit the earth, irrespective of what anyone says ... 'There are no atheists in foxholes!'
Your exit in the final scene was magnificent. We are Christians, and we long for the day when life's storms have ended and we will be able to step into the brilliant light and love of our Redeemer's presence. All this you brought flawlessly to mind as you 'exited the stage of life and stepped smilingly into immortality.'
Well, well done! We look forward to the opportunity to enjoy any future plays in which you may appear. Godspeed.
