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Well, he got naked an hour after we talked.
Long ago I purchased a matinee ticket for a well-reviewed drama, Indiscretions, brought across the pond from London to Broadway. The writing was intelligent, and Kathleen Turner was at her sexiest. Much was made of the adult, thought-provoking theme, and the full-frontal nudity.
My friends Judy and Stan were busy looking at the reviews on the posters at the front of the theater. The day was warm and bright as I walked into the sunshine. I spied a young man, maybe in his early 20s, smoking by the stage door in a grubby tee-shirt and jeans. He was short and slim, with delicate features.
“Got a ticket to the show?”
“Yes, I managed one last minute.” I wasn’t quite sure if he was an actor or a stagehand. “Are you in it?”
“In it down to me bum.”
Aha. He was the guy who spends much of the last act letting it all hang out. “I guess you’re the one who winds up nude!”
“Today and tonight. Think you can stand it?”
Since he was friendly and coy, I kidded him back. “I’ll try hard not to laugh if you don’t.”
He smiled at me, and took it further. “I never laugh on stage. Too busy shivering. It’s cold in there, so be kind.”
We both chuckled at the implication. He explained that he was trained in England and that this was his first time on Broadway, and how excited he was to be in an American production.
“Oh I’m sure this will be the first of many plays here.” I couldn’t remember his name or the reviews about him, but figured a polite word of encouragement was appropriate.
“I hope you’re right," he smiled. "New York’s amazing.”
We chatted a bit more, about New York and movies versus Broadway, and he admitted he wanted to do both. I admired his ambition, but had my doubts.
He finished his cigarette and turned to go back into the theater. “Well, you’ll be seeing me soon. Onstage.”
“All of you.” I couldn’t help it. He was so sweet and cute.
He grinned, and waved off. And sure enough, there he was less than an hour later, emoting and disrobing. I made a silent wish for his success.
I didn’t have to worry. Jude Law did very well for himself, indeed.
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Comments
I wonder if Jude Law would remember your encounter.
Is there any chance you might meet again?
:)
But, he should not have bopped the Nanny!!!
Lea ~ you have the best stories ... I'm giddy just sitting in the audience!
In my cougary dreams ....
bbd, oh my.
Peter, my first impression was that he was slight and grubby. He did not grab you with his looks. But he was exceptionally friendly and awestruck with NY. My chance of meeting him again is slim to none. I wonder if he would still be so nice to strangers (but then again, I would probably act differently, too. Knowing he was a celeb.
MAWB, I was sad about that. He is a well-trained actor but acted out.
Michael, love your post today. I hope the manatee gets his (and not the ones you meet when you dive).
Great Story Lea.
Steve, I'm not sure of the date when I talked with him (could look it up, but it was his first trip to America. He was a working actor, well-trained and seemed to be without vanity. A charmer. Really happy to shoot the breeze while he relaxed.
But good grief, Lea, wurra life you've had.
Rated
What an amazing life you've lived, Lea! We're so fortunate that you decide to come here and share your experiences with us.
Thumbed. Love your stories, you impart them so well.
Lisa, the surprise of the ending for you all is the surprise I felt when he was first on screen. I really didn't see the stardom factor. I've told this little tale many times when people swoon over him.
Bill, the ones who would meet him now that he's famous would be my son and daughter-in-law. They seem to know everybody in NYC. (Yes the same son who lost it all a few months ago. He now works with Tina Brown and it's a hoot to talk with him.)
Ablonde, yes many men celebs are shorter than we expect and many women taller. He was (and still is) also exceptionally slender.
Fabflamingo, just living in and around NYC for many years you get to meet some notorious types, even briefly. I have told some already and have many fun tales yet to tell.
sandra, my miata mate, I was dressed so I wasn't cold. He didn't look particularly cold, as far as I could tell, and I was watching intently.
Lonnie, I assume that when you were in the club biz you met loads of celebs in in chance encounters.
Carol, yeah I saw him nude. But somehow it seemed so artful in the context of the play. He was playing Kathleen's young lover and he walked around for a long time nekkid and the biggest kick is that we had talked about it before the play, not that he was "Jude Law."
j lynne, right place, right time. And he wasn't that imposing in real life. Something about a big screen makes people truly seem larger than life.
Kaysong, the thing is, he has great talent and showed it in the play. Not just a pretty boy.
after all.
Julie, had a been with my friends the whole vibe would have changed. I think when you're alone people reach out more, one to one. I've found that all over the world. A smile and a question almost always does it.
dynomyte, agree. He was not in any way a star presence. I wasn't even sure he was an actor. So much of it is spin, and clothes and makeup, and attitude.
My new post is The Serious Side of Sex, perhaps distantly related to this one?
Hawley, I saw that Equus production, and Hair, before that. It was another age. This was mentioned, but not as big a deal, as he wasn't famous here. I will definitely check out your post.
mamoore, I could make a joke about short and sweet but that wouldn't be nice, and according to Odetetteroulette, I'm nice. Let's just say it was sweet.
I love these stories of meeting future and now famous stars!!
Had to look it up since I’d thought I’d seen that play too – and yep. It was on Broadway in ’95, and Cynthia Nixon was in the cast. (I knew of her back then because of a role she had alongside friends of mine as a kid in ‘The Manhattan Project’). Don’t remember much of the play, though – just that Kathleen Turner spent a lot of time in bed. Was it any good?
David, thanks for looking it up. I forgot that Cynthia Nixon was in it (too busy looking elsewhere)? Anyway, yes, Kathleen Turner spent loads of time in bed, and I wasn't crazy about the play, much of it with JL. It had glowing reviews in London, and I know Jude Law came over from that production but not sure about the others. My friends liked it better than I did. The hightlight was JL, for sure.
Hope you've recovered from the Dave Cullen Quartet by now.
nice vignette
Sally, I know, scary. I enjoyed reading your girlfriend trip Paris that you just posted. Lots of nostalgia and romance.
Luis, we wouldn't want to be naughty, but I get you.
Buffy, thanks. I read all your blog the other day and it's fascinating.
Yeah, that would be the jealousy talking......
Jimmy, thanks. Now please go write something so we can enjoy it.
You have an interesting life BTW! Dang! what a free spirit (the only way to be)!!
What ya think?
monte
Monte, I think Sharon Stone's famous scene in Basic Instinct catapulted her. But I think kind of thing only gets you noticed. It doesn't last. Talent lasts.
Thanks, Theo. Nice to see you back writing.
Ralph, not sure what the "sauce" is but I think you mean saucy, so thanks.