Jack O'Brien's acceptance of his Lifetime Achievement award (from the pre-show) was one of the highlights of last night.
With the transcription, you don't get his delivery, but here is what he said: [sorry about the fonts]
I have two contradictory thoughts going on in my head all the time these days. One of them, of course, is: this is the most moving experience of my career, and I’m having a little trouble absorbing it. And the other one is: oh my god does this mean it’s over?! Are George and I getting the hook tonight? This is clipping right along isn’t it? I saw myself tonight on a couch, maybe having a martini and we could spend some time together. All I want to say is: after what seems to be an interminable career, you pick up a couple of things, and there are things I wanted to remind you of.
I don’t want you to be upset about this, what I’m about to tell you. But did it occur to you: no one ever asked us to do this? We didn’t answer an ad in the New York Times that said ‘glittering theatrical types needed to save a moribund industry.’ As a matter of fact, I can tell right now that most of the people in this house were discouraged from being here tonight by their parents, their teachers, their lovers, their financial advisors: “Don’t do it.” But we couldn’t help it could we? There is a fragile web of belief we chase each night in these houses. It’s the only real magic accorded to us, and it doesn’t come when called. So when it doesn’t work you’ve got to do it the next night and try to be better. But when it works, it can change lives. It changed mine. And here you are.
It’s not a job, I don’t know what it is. I know that there are people who would like to make it a job, and I think that they should be encouraged to go someplace else and maybe get one. But for us it’s a privilege, its an honor, and I know this is weird, but it’s a calling. And as such, who do I thank for a lifetime like this? Many of the people, Ellis Rabb, John Houseman, Bill Ball, helped me; were gracious to me; have gone. So, it’s you, my peers. My fellow artists. It’s your society that really makes it work. I am deeply honored. It’s what I want for you: a life in the theatre. Who knew? God bless you.
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Topic: THE SECOND THINGS SECOND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST THINGS FIRST (Read 4439 times)