Thank You Robin Williams, The Marshs Mock Cafe by Stephanie Weisman Marsh bReeds, The Marshs weekly newsletter Its like Robin Williams was so much a part of our lives and culture in a way that was both incredibly sweet and anarchic. He was woven into what makes us culturally happy together. Its more then losing a great artist, its losing an incredibly lovely connection. The loss seems really catastrophic. - Josh Kornbluth The texts started coming at 4 PM Monday. Since then I have received more then two dozen texts and phone calls about the death of Robin Williams. Its amazing, this celebrity, who was also so much a part of the Bay Area has died. And it is so devastating. Friends and family are contacting me because theres a need to reach out and because they saw Robin Williams perform at The Marsh. The first time he came to The Marshs Mock Cafe, a comedy series, was in early 2000. Mike Spiegelman, Mock Program Director, called me the next day to let me know. Im like what? Robin Williams signed up to perform and you didnt call me? But that wasnt the most unbelievable thing. The most unbelievable thing was that Mike told Robin Williams he could only be onstage for five minutes-holding to our 5-minute open mic limit. To which Robin graciously agreed. Mike and I agreed that going forward, if Robin Williams ever showed up again, he could have the mic for as long as he liked. And so he did. For the next year, Robin performed at The Marshs Mock Cafe almost weekly-sometimes for an hour or more. And let me tell you, I was besotted. He was so nice to me and the other comedians. He gave suggestions and was always supportive to our developing performers. But the biggest blessing was being part of our small mock cafe audience with this incredible and generous human being performing genius improvs week after week. For me, the most memorable performance, was the night my 80 year-old dad was in from Florida. Sitting in the front row, Robin headed straight over to my father, put his hands on his baldhead, and riffed about it for the next 15 minutes-the whole time keeping his hands on Dads head. We were all laughing so hard, I was sure my father was going to keel over with a heart attack. Ah. I thought, but if you have to go, then go this happy. But Robin Williams didnt go happy. And I am confused, along with everyone Ive talked to, about how this could happen to someone who is so important to us and who had so many resources. And I know, too, as we have explored it in our performances at The Marsh (most directly in Brian Copelands The Waiting Period), that deep deep depression is so isolating and devastating. [NOTE: its not too late for any of us grappling with depression and suicide, please call a Suicide Prevention Line if you are. Heres one I looked up 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or google one of your choice. Tomorrow will be brighter.] Throughout the night into the early morning hours, I continued to think and think. It brought me to my own expectations and hopes of Robin Williams. Perhaps we could entice him back onstage at The Marsh Berkeley Cabaret. Can you imagine how many expectations there were for this man? I called Josh Kornbluth. Hello Josh, its Stephanie, Investigative Solo Performance Journalist. Yes, says Josh, And its so hard to get solo performers to talk. What are you investigating? Im grappling with Robin Williams death, I said. And since you are grappling with end-of-life issues in your improvs, I thought to call you. Also, because youre the one that told Robin Williams about the Marshs Mock Cafe all those years ago. As I contemplated this tragedy, I started thinking about the fact that last week I went to Joshs first improv of Reports From Zen Hospice, which is about his artist-in-residency and volunteer work at the hospice. Watching Joshs improvs, like Robins, is something I have always loved and have happily witnessed for hundreds of hours over the past 25 years. However, watching this Zen hospice improv, is far different, than watching Josh develop his temp secretary character 25 years ago. And I know too, that Josh has struggled with depression. I said, Josh, the Zen Hospice provides an end-of-life experience on the opposite spectrum of how Robin Williams died. Your stories are about something else. Im seeing as I volunteer at Zen Hospice that it provides a wonderful insight about how to live during the end of life and how to be with each other, said Josh. Its what I wish Robin could have had. Perhaps the depressed and suicidal should have their own version of beautiful hospice. A hospice where the hoped-for result is not to move on to heaven, nothingness, or to wherever one might pass, but to recover from the end of life-pass on to a new phase, living as fully, and as beautifully as is possible. And for that matter why shouldnt this consciousness be in the hearts of all living. And Robin Williams, thank you, thank you, thank you for all the blessings you bestowed on us for all these years. We are so saddened to say goodbye.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:59:30 +0000
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