The fact that “A… My Name Is Alice” was the fourth show on which Boyd and I had collaborated precipitated an article about us, titled the same as this highlight, written by Diana Claitor for the Austin American-Statesman (March 12, 1987 issue).
I believe that by the time I left Austin for NYC in 1988, Boyd and I had worked on nine productions together, including “Cabaret”, “Eubie!”, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “Purlie”, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”, Jabberwocky Players, Esther’s Follies, and more.
Boyd and I first met when I stepped in to music direct a production of “Cabaret” at the Gaslight Theatre, in which he was playing the Emcee. Boyd’s body was one-sided as a result of a severe burn injury he had sustained as a child. The set designer for “Cabaret” used this anomaly to inform his design, and everything was just a little off kilter. It was a highly inventive production of the show, directed by Steve Wyman who, after not receiving tenure at The University of Texas, went to Hollywood and had great success in television directing.
Sadly, Boyd Vance is no longer with us, but our times together will always be in my heart. (Boyd’s obituary.)
