Writing, Sandra Bernhard, Fink, and Les Miserables.

So I started writing a book. This was in part brought about as a result of this blog here, and the reason why I haven't blogged in a while. I think I have a lot of stories, but more than that I want to share. That is my job after all, to leave something behind. Writing every night backstage in my office while the 25th Anniversary tour of Les Miserables has its run here. Surrounded by my sketch of Sandra Bernhard, Stevie Knicks, Natalie Maines, and Pink. They are my spiritual angels. Part of a dream I have that I am trying to manifest, and part of my team of muses. Also it is just a great drawing, so I keep them near. Sandra has always been a dynamic inspiration for me, and a beautiful friend. This sketch sits above a Life magazine cover of Gwen Verdon from 1959. Gwen was a friend and dance partner of sorts to my dear friend and dance teacher Eddie Gasper. Eddie was in Sweet Charity with Gwen. Eddie was, among so many more accomplishments, Bob Fosse's assistant for many productions spanning several years.  In this same picture with Gwen is Harvey Evans. I dressed Harvey in Scarlet Pimpernel on Broadway. We were reunited when he was in the cast of Leap of Faith here at the Ahmanson Theatre. He walked into my office and saw the Life magazine cover and told me that the guy on Gwen's right was him.  He told me how the picture was taken at around 2 am after a show. He said the photographer popped open a bottle of champagne before the shoot started, and they had a blast. Harvey has worked on Broadway all his life, and performed with Eddie in the original West Side Story.
The point? It all comes around. The recognition of the connection that is spun in a life lived as consciously as possible. Beautiful, meant, and perfect. These people are like landmarks that remind me I am in the right place. They would be the ones handing me a paper cup of water in the marathon of Life as I ran by. Supporting and encouraging along the way. I like looking at this road, this path I have been on and all the people along the way. Those who were on the bus for just a bit, and those that are here for the ride. The bus driver and all the stops, fits, and starts. I paint about the road, I think about the road, I love the road. I am writing a book about this road of mine because I think it is interesting. After all I have been the backstage privileged eyes and ears to many many moments, events, and people. All worth sharing. All of the stories say more about me really and just like a self portrait, it makes most sense to the viewer. Reader in this instance.
I always need to have some musical gasoline as I paint. I find in writing this book that it is the same as painting. I need specific music to match what it is I am creating. I have listened exclusively to Fink. His latest is Perfect Darkness, and it is perfectly lighting the way for me for some (as of yet unknown) reason. As I write I'm learning things about myself I had not yet discovered, and the enlightenment is revealing in ways I would not have imagined.
Adelaide Laurino was my first employer on Broadway. She was the production wardrobe supervisor for Les Miserables, among countless other shows. She was back supervising Les Miz on Broadway when I last saw her in 2002. I went to see her, to thank her for the opportunities she gave me and all I learned from her. I wanted to say goodbye to her before my move to Los Angeles. I knew then I wouldn't see her again. She passed a year later, but is still with me. I am reminded of her nightly as I work in my office. She is encouraging me along the way also, as the beginnings of this book is about her in so many ways. Another reminder of being in the right place...as One Day More sings in the background.

Sandra Bernhard and friends sketch, study for a woven, and outline painting: 

Michael Gardner

...hanging on wall next to my desk in my office at work