A CALIFORNIA BABY
Tours with
“FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO’VE CONSIDERED SUICIDE, WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENOUGH”
The year is 1977, and the theatrical production of “For Colored Girls who had Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enough”, had just finished it’s successful, run at the Mark Taper Forum In downtown Los Angeles. I’d been an understudy to the wonderful Marilyn Coleman, who played the “Lady in Purple”, and I was relieved that the run was over, and that Marilyn had remained healthy…due to my bringing her a shot of whiskey every evening. We understudies had not had enough rehearsal, and did not feel prepared to “go on”.
On closing night, Director Oz Scott called a meeting of the cast, informing us that there was to be a National tour of the play, a production of The New York Shakespeare Company, and asked if any of us were interested in joining that production. I jumped at the chance to actually be rehearsed, and not only “go on stage’ in this marvelous play, see also parts of the country….while getting handsomely paid…for the seventies, anyway.
There were three of us from the L.A. Company….Barbara Alston, Beverly Ann , and myself. Rehearsals began in October, NY, where we were joined by women, formally of the Broadway Company…..and who dubbed us the “California babies”…and you’ll soon see why.
Mid-October, we opened in Washington, DC, at the National Theater. The weather was lovely, Autumn like…with trees actually having yellow, red and orange leaves. What s sight! Between shows, we visited all the National sights, Halls of Congress, etc., etc., and played to full, enthusiastic audiences.
November, we opened in Boston at the Schubert Theater. Again, wonderful “Houses”. But what I remember most about Boston, was that while gazing from my hotel window one afternoon, I saw…oh wonders…SNOW, actually falling from the skies. I’d never seen such. Oh sure, when in L.A., I’d traveled to Big Bear and seen snow…on the ground. But had never seen it actually “fall”!!. I thought it was sooo beautiful!
December, we were in Cleveland….only thing I remember about Cleveland was that we had to spend Christmas there, the IAtSE House stage crew were said to be Mafia, and the weather, and the city sucked!
Next, ah…Chicago! January and February, 1978. The Blackstone Theater. A mix of audiences, mostly great …though some of the men in that town were not so thrilled with the theme of the play,and let us know with some “boos” upon occasion. But all that aside…the main,
essential memories of Chicago was…snow, and ice…and wind….and bitter cold!! Although the company was booked at a fabulous hotel across town, the three of us, from L.A., booked rooms at the once grand, but now rather worn. Blackstone Hotel…DIRECTLY across the street from the Blackstone Theater. As a result of the three of us NOT staying with the rest of the Company, we were labeled “California Babies”…jokingly, by the East Coast contingency. Although we had to fight the infamous Chicago wind, the “hawk”, and attempt not to slip and go sprawling as we crossed the icy street, while bundled in six layers of clothing for protection against the swirling snow…. we didn’t have to fight all the above elements while trying to hail a taxi from in front of the other hotel, way across town.
It was Chicago, where I really knew that I needed a break from “Eastern U.S.” weather. I took off a weekend ( understudy “went on”) and I flew down to New Orleans, just in time for Mardi Gras, for some welcome warmth humidity.
March of,’78, a couple of weeks in Toronto…weather better, then on to Philly for April and May. Actual Spring…great weather, great audiences.
June in Detroit….hot, humid, and I’m starting to get really home-sick. Heard of a new L.A. production, of “Colored Girls” being formed by Woody King, for the Huntington Hartford Theater in Hollywood. Contacted Woody, begged him to cast me…his response…”come on out, and we’ll see”. So…took a chance, gave two weeks notice. So after eight months of touring the Eastern United States, with it’s very different climes, weathers and cultures…. this “California Baby” came home.
The End
Once upon a time…
