I had the pleasure recently of hearing Tony winner Joe DiPietro talk about the adventure that is musical writing. I learned so much. But one of my biggest “take-aways” from the event wasn’t about musicals and wasn’t from Joe.
It was from the event’s organizer—the Episcopal Actors’ Guild. The Guild is one of the few remaining stand-alone associations providing help to actors who have a short-term financial emergency.
EAG President Elowyn Castle introduced Joe and started the evening with the most wonderful story.
Keep in mind, the Guild has been around almost a hundred years, so it’s no surprise that among the many people it has helped over the years is . . . Fred Astaire.
“Fred was performing on Broadway when Hollywood called and offered him a screen test,” Elowyn said. “He didn’t have enough money for a train ticket! The Guild provided it for him.”
And guess what?
Every year for the rest of his life, Fred Astaire sent the Guild a check to support them.
Every year.
Try to think how many people were helped by his generosity, which was in response to the Guild’s generosity. That kind of kindness leading to kindness leading to kindness is not a story you often hear out of the entertainment world. But there it is. One among many, I’m sure.
I learned a whole lot about the craft of musical writing that night.
And I learned a whole lot more, too.
It was from the event’s organizer—the Episcopal Actors’ Guild. The Guild is one of the few remaining stand-alone associations providing help to actors who have a short-term financial emergency.
EAG President Elowyn Castle introduced Joe and started the evening with the most wonderful story.
Keep in mind, the Guild has been around almost a hundred years, so it’s no surprise that among the many people it has helped over the years is . . . Fred Astaire.
“Fred was performing on Broadway when Hollywood called and offered him a screen test,” Elowyn said. “He didn’t have enough money for a train ticket! The Guild provided it for him.”
And guess what?
Every year for the rest of his life, Fred Astaire sent the Guild a check to support them.
Every year.
Try to think how many people were helped by his generosity, which was in response to the Guild’s generosity. That kind of kindness leading to kindness leading to kindness is not a story you often hear out of the entertainment world. But there it is. One among many, I’m sure.
I learned a whole lot about the craft of musical writing that night.
And I learned a whole lot more, too.
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