At the first New York Innovative Theatre awards ceremony in 2005, Judith Hawking, if memory serves, was charged with wrangling all the presenters, one of whom was the incomparable Marian Seldes. The ceremony unfolded on the stage of the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and while I cant remember which play it was, I remember the set had a floor full of faux grass and a very high platform from which to take a step -- dangerous if one wasnt looking. Well, Ms. Seldes was appearing in Terrence McNallys Dedication, or the Stuff of Dreams at 59E59 Theaters then, and she was really just sweeping in to do her bit, present a few awards, and leave. In considerable heels, may I add. Judith, quite rightly, needed to warn her about the grass and the very high platform and the drop. She was wearing this superb strapless dress and basically kneeled down, almost to a bow, before Ms. Seldes, who was in a chair, unflappable and dear. Quietly -- for the ceremony had already begun -- Judith warned, Marian, the set is grass. Ms. Seldes eyes grew wide, her forehead grew higher, and suddenly she clasped her hands together and exclaimed, I LOVE grass! A national treasure left the American theatre tonight with the passing of Marian Seldes. I interviewed her once or twice through the years -- she was a timeless, priceless link to the theatre of yesterday and yesteryear. For me, however, the vivid immediacy of that Darling, I LOVE grass moment has never faded. And it never will. RIP, darling Marian. RIP.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:58:11 +0000
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