Monday, November 13, 2023

Today Is The Start Of Musical Theater Week! So, Let Us Celebrate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


                                     Darlings, this is that magical week in November, when so many Legends Of The Musical Stage, including yours truly, were born.



                                      Today we begin with Sammy Williams.  Sammy was a Jersey boy, born in Trenton on this date in 1948, which would have made him 75.  Unfortunately, he left this world too soon on March 17, 2018 (St. Patrick's Day) but remains a legend.  Because he originated an important role in what is probably the Twentieth Century's most iconic musical, "A Chorus Line."  He was in on it for the start, playing Paul San Marco, and he not only pushed the envelope for homosexuality, back in 1975, with his devastating monologue, but he won a TONY Award for his performance.  All the TONY winners for this show were well deserving of their prize.



                                       Sammy's subsequent ups and downs taught me a lesson that fame does not solve all one's problems.  But his perseverance and dedication to his art, and his gift for dancing remains an inspiration to this day.



                                       So, congratulations, Sammy, on being the one to initiate Musical Theater Week!!!!!!!!!!!



                                        Those who saw your performance, like me, will never forget.


                                     Here is Sammy's full monologue.  No one did it better.

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