On the Passing of Marian Seldes
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 can't 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 wasn't looking. Well, Ms. Seldes was appearing in Terrence McNally's "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 "I LOVE grass" moment has never faded. And it never will.
RIP, darling Marian. RIP.
Litigation Paralegal at WeissLaw LLP
10 年Truly, a great loss for the Arts and Culture. I admired her work and my condolences to her friends and family.
Professional Mariner, Schooner Captain, Volunteer Program Administrator, Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, Historic Ship Preservation Professional, University adjunct faculty.
10 年I had the pleasure of working with her on a show at the Lortel Theater in Jan. 1986 and it was a joy to see her process. She was a consummate pro.
Independent Performing Arts Professional/Educator
10 年What a lovely remembrance indeed!!..Thank you Leonard. She actually spoke at my graduation ceremony years ago when I got my Master's Degree at Emerson in Boston....what an inspiration she will always be to those who really love the theater!!
Exhibition Curator | Program Producer | Cultural Historian | Telling Stories: Sharing the Arts through Exhibitions and Events
10 年So sad to hear this news, but what a lovely remembrance, Leonard.