I woke up early on Sunday as my flight left at 9:30 AM. I don't think I realized I was truly excited until my alarm went off that morning. Actually, I don't think reality had hit me! I was finally going to see my childhood hero and that thought was pretty damn cool. So, I got ready, grabbed my camera and bag and began my short thirty minute drive to Sac International.
I arrived in LA early and had the opportunity to finally meet and hang out with a very dear friend of mine! This meeting wasn't planned, but it was definitely meant to be! After having lunch with my friend Danny, he dropped me off at the theater and I got my ticket and hung out in front of the theater people watching. What can I say? I'm a photographer and I love to people watch. I have to saying, people watching in LA is humorous! The show was scheduled for 2:30 and around 2:1 they began letting people into the theater. I was a bit taken aback at the size of the theater. It held, at most, probably two hundred people. It was small and intimate and this added so much to the performance. I'm used to seeing plays in huge venues so being so close to the actors and the stage was pretty amazing!
When the lights fell and the entire theater became pitch black, I felt my heart race. I was excited! :) When the theater lights hit the stage and the cast was before us, everything felt a bit surreal. It was just an amazing experience. Faye was absolutely wonderful. Her character, Rose, was a bit flighty and funny and she was desperately seeking her husband's affection. Faye played Rose with humor and grace and bouts and extreme seriousness when the script called for it. Seeing her perform just reiterated everything I've always thought about her....she is such an amazing and versatile actor. Hollywood is truly missing out on her talent! I can only hope that she may end up performing more because it seemed that she truly enjoyed her time on stage. She was just so NATURAL and I think that's one of the best compliments that I can give her. She also does the Southern accent so well! There were times that Rose was very reminiscent of "Tattie McKee" from Faye's short lived series, State of Grace. Truly just a phenomenal performance by an amazing woman.
However, Faye wasn't the only phenomenal actor on stage that lovely Sunday afternoon. The entire case of "The Autumn Garden" was superb!!! One particular actor, Stephen Caffrey, especially stands out. He played an overbearing drunk who was quite the "charmer" with the ladies. And if one actor "stole the show," I would have to say that it was Stephen! He was so convincing that he seriously started to get on my nerves. To me, that's an indication of a job well done!! I also truly enjoyed the performances of Jane Kaczmarek and Zoe Perry. Jane's character, Nina, had such a dry sense of humor and the BEST facial expressions! She was funny! Zoe, as Sophie, was reserved and shy in the beginning but her character's true colors came out at the end. Amazing! Also, as a thirty-something year old, this play was very thought provoking as it emphasized greatly on what it means to get older and leave our youth behind. I think it would have been amazing to see the second cast perform this play as well. I wish I had the opportunity! All in all, kudos to the entire cast of "The Autumn Garden." Truly an amazing performance done by all! :)
After the play was over (it was three hours long, but didn't feel like it!), there was an opportunity for audience members to meet and talk with the cast in the library. I made my way in there with the hopes of being able to say hi to Faye. When she came into the library, I waited patiently, as I didn't want to interrupt her and it appeared she was mingling with friends. I had my camera out (as always!), casually snapping pictures, and when our eyes finally met it was like saying hi to an old friend! For anyone who has ever wondered, allow me to say that Faye is absolutely gracious, sincere, and kind. She treated me so kind and welcomed me so warmly. Thank you, Faye!
I am posting a few pictures on this blog and will add them to the website when I can. Please understand that I don't have a lot of time as I used to, but I do maintain and update the site as much as I can! I hope that you've enjoyed reading this blog.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday season!!!
All the Best,
Tammie
www.fayegrant.com
