In Remembrance

Rest in Peace

Today is a very sad day. One of the most brilliant and talented actors we know has left this world for the next, leaving all of us to mourn at his passing. Philip Seymour Hoffman was truly one of the greatest performers of our time. On stage or on screen, we were always dazzled by his art. There are so many beautiful pieces of art we will never be able to see because of this tragedy.

Being a part of the theatre industry (if only in spirit, at the present time) I can understand the stress and anxieties we face. I am not an actor, therefore I can't identify with an actor's mind. But I can try. It must be extremely hard to be an actor of such renown. You are constantly bombarded by paparazzi and fans. There is no way to escape. You are constantly critiqued about everything you do, say, think, and feel. You're being judged on how you look, how you dress, how you behave, and how you perform. Much of the time these judgments are negative and even the most optimistic person in the world can't shove every nasty comment aside.

The only friends you have are fellow actors, and you don't know if any of them are your "real" friends. How can you trust anyone? Everyone in this industry is looking out for number one. When you feel alone and have no one to turn to, you turn to substances to fill a need you feel you can't get anywhere else. As an artist you feel things more deeply and vividly than your fellow man. So when you are down, you are really down. Then when you reach a breaking point, you take things. one. step. too. far.

Philip Seymour Hoffman did not need to die. Nobody should feel this way. Nobody should feel like their only friend can be found in the bottom of a bottle, at the end of a needle, or on the edge of a blade. Everyone should have at least one person in their life that they can count on, no matter what. That one true friend who you can call any time, day or night, to pick you up and encourage you.

To all my actor friends out there. When you make it big, and I have no doubt you will, I want you to always remember that you have one true friend. Never hesitate to call me when you need me. I will always be here for you. I will do my best to pick you up when you are down. I will give you all the kind words and encouragement you need.

I AM HERE FOR YOU. 

I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU.

And that is not just for my actor friends. It is for all of you. I never want you to feel alone. All I want is for you to feel loved.

BECAUSE YOU ARE LOVED. 

I LOVE YOU.

I love each and every one of you, so please don't do anything stupid.

Now let's give Philip Seymour Hoffman a proper sendoff. Let's all take a moment to appreciate the work of a true artist. Here's to you Philip! Thanks for the memories.

"I think you should be serious about what you do because this is it. This is the only life you've got."

- Philip Seymour Hoffman

Closed Minds. Closed Hearts.

Need to rant for just a second. Tonight we went and saw Spamalot at the Zigfield Theatre, a small community theatre just down the street. For those of you who don't know what Spamalot is about, let's just say it's not rated PG. There is swearing, sex, and other general bits of hilarious naughtiness. At one point in the second act the group in front of us stood up and walked out. Here is why I am mad.

It wasn't:

The Lady of the Lake's boobs spilling out of her dress,

The guy in his underwear with a D over his penis,

The naughty word spelled out with the shields,

The graphic descriptions from the French taunters,

The cursing,

The sexual innuendos,

The jab at the Jews,

or anything else that made them get up and leave.

You know what it was? You guessed it.

The gay one.

The song where Lancelot figures out that he is gay makes the woman in front of me stand up and usher her four kids out of the show. These "kids" are high school age or older. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WORLD!? I mean seriously!? I don't understand how these people's minds work. These are the type of people that - whether they mean to or not - encourage bullying, encourage judgement, and encourage hate. The LGBT community and their supporters (me included) often blame closed-mindedness for their behavior. But I think it goes deeper than that. Is it their minds that are closed or is it their hearts?

How can anyone see a human being and think that because they are different from you that makes them less of a person. That makes it okay to taunt, torment, and torture them often leading to suicide? How can anyone look at my friend Payden and see anything but a beautiful and talented performer with a huge heart? How can anyone look at my friend Bryan and see anything but a hardworking individual with the biggest smile and the best hugs? How can anyone look at my friend Ryan and see anything other than an ambitious man who never gives up on his dreams and conquers everything he sets his mind to? How can anyone look at one of the most famous LGBT of all time - Ellen Degeneres - and see anything other than the most giving, big-hearted, beautiful, inspirational, and truly kind person in the whole world? Most importantly, how can anyone look at these individuals as anything other than a human being who deserves respect?

I can't and I won't.

Rant over...

at least for now.

We still have 35 states to go, after all.