In 1986 I moved back to Escondido from my two year course at performing arts school. The teachers took me aside before I left and told me it would be wise if I chose another profession because it was obvious I was not cut out for the theater profession. They were right in one respect, I was very shy, not very ambitious, I couldn't sing and could not dance...truthfully, it did seem there was no hope. I had a small scholarship to join another performing arts college in New Mexico, but I was not able to come up with the funding for the entire program so I gave it up. I moved home with my sister, got a real job and decided to do some theater locally, just for fun.
The first show I was cast in was Sweeney Todd at the local Jr. College, which is an amazing show. The music is intense and difficult, the story is dark and bloody, and I was honored to be part of the cast. I was so proud of myself I couldn't stand it. (If you ever hear the music of Sweeney Todd you will know why). After that production I started auditioning at the local community theater, called Patio Playhouse. I was cast in one show, and then another...and soon enough I was part of the tight knit circle of actors and musicians there. We did a production of Little Shop of Horrors, which was also an amazing experience. The musical director was Charlie Creasy and his partner, Scott Davis, played Seymour. My other close friends were Pam and Mike, who started dating after the show and eventually married. (Pam used to be a nun, but decided to give real life a try) My other close friends were Dynell Leigh and Lolita Maddelena. In a production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, I met a funny, skinny Italian boy named Bobby Di Clemente. It took awhile, but my friendship with Bobby grew to something more beautiful, we fell in love and were married in 1989. Lolita had a thing for Bobby, and I always felt bad about that...but Bobby and I were very close knit and our kinship was obvious.
As time went on, my story moved away from the theater. Our friends all went their separate ways...all except Scott and Charlie, they gay couple from Texas who have been my closest friends throughout the years. As some of you who read my blog know, Bobby (my husband) passed away after 10 years of marriage. We did not have a perfect marriage, and I will not pretend life was easy for us. Bobby was sick for a long time, and I was not a strong enough person to deal with all the sadness and pain that followed his illness. When he died, many friends made it to the funeral, and some did not. I never blamed any of the ones who could not make it, because truthfully, I was not able to make all the calls and although I had friends who DID make the calls, I don't know who was notified before or after the funeral. It was just a bad time for me.
Years have passed. I am raising Bobby's children the best I know how. I have remained closest friends with Scott and Charlie, who now live in Palm Springs. Two months ago the State of California lifted the ban on gay marriage and my two special friends set a date to be married. August 9th. The wedding was last weekend. All my theater friends from Patio Playhouse were going to be there. Lolita, Pam, Mike, Dynell, Diane and Tami...I couldn't believe it. I was actually really nervous. I had no reason to be. It was an amazing night. My friends had not changed. They were still right there, fun and supportive as always. Lolita found a wonderful man and married him. I was touched when she told him that she had a thing for Bobby but Bobby loved me and she had to step aside. Pam told me that I was the strongest person she knew and God put me in a position that she would not have been able to handle. (referring to Bobby's illness and death). Scott and Charlie's wedding was the most touching and heartfelt ceremony that I have ever witnessed. They waited 28 years for that moment, and it finally came. They looked like two teenagers who had just fallen in love. I can only wish for such an amazing relationship. When Charlie sends me some pictures, I will post them here. I could not wait to post this blog, I wanted to tell the world what an amazing weekend I had and about the wonderful people I met because I took the advice of my teachers and decided to have fun with theater instead of pursuing it professionally.
The first show I was cast in was Sweeney Todd at the local Jr. College, which is an amazing show. The music is intense and difficult, the story is dark and bloody, and I was honored to be part of the cast. I was so proud of myself I couldn't stand it. (If you ever hear the music of Sweeney Todd you will know why). After that production I started auditioning at the local community theater, called Patio Playhouse. I was cast in one show, and then another...and soon enough I was part of the tight knit circle of actors and musicians there. We did a production of Little Shop of Horrors, which was also an amazing experience. The musical director was Charlie Creasy and his partner, Scott Davis, played Seymour. My other close friends were Pam and Mike, who started dating after the show and eventually married. (Pam used to be a nun, but decided to give real life a try) My other close friends were Dynell Leigh and Lolita Maddelena. In a production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, I met a funny, skinny Italian boy named Bobby Di Clemente. It took awhile, but my friendship with Bobby grew to something more beautiful, we fell in love and were married in 1989. Lolita had a thing for Bobby, and I always felt bad about that...but Bobby and I were very close knit and our kinship was obvious.
As time went on, my story moved away from the theater. Our friends all went their separate ways...all except Scott and Charlie, they gay couple from Texas who have been my closest friends throughout the years. As some of you who read my blog know, Bobby (my husband) passed away after 10 years of marriage. We did not have a perfect marriage, and I will not pretend life was easy for us. Bobby was sick for a long time, and I was not a strong enough person to deal with all the sadness and pain that followed his illness. When he died, many friends made it to the funeral, and some did not. I never blamed any of the ones who could not make it, because truthfully, I was not able to make all the calls and although I had friends who DID make the calls, I don't know who was notified before or after the funeral. It was just a bad time for me.
Years have passed. I am raising Bobby's children the best I know how. I have remained closest friends with Scott and Charlie, who now live in Palm Springs. Two months ago the State of California lifted the ban on gay marriage and my two special friends set a date to be married. August 9th. The wedding was last weekend. All my theater friends from Patio Playhouse were going to be there. Lolita, Pam, Mike, Dynell, Diane and Tami...I couldn't believe it. I was actually really nervous. I had no reason to be. It was an amazing night. My friends had not changed. They were still right there, fun and supportive as always. Lolita found a wonderful man and married him. I was touched when she told him that she had a thing for Bobby but Bobby loved me and she had to step aside. Pam told me that I was the strongest person she knew and God put me in a position that she would not have been able to handle. (referring to Bobby's illness and death). Scott and Charlie's wedding was the most touching and heartfelt ceremony that I have ever witnessed. They waited 28 years for that moment, and it finally came. They looked like two teenagers who had just fallen in love. I can only wish for such an amazing relationship. When Charlie sends me some pictures, I will post them here. I could not wait to post this blog, I wanted to tell the world what an amazing weekend I had and about the wonderful people I met because I took the advice of my teachers and decided to have fun with theater instead of pursuing it professionally.
2 comments:
I love love love that story! That is so awesome you got to see all your old friends and that you got to witness such a great union of 2 in love. Thank you for sharing.
In another way, it was perfect that Bobbie loved you and not me so much. I could have never given him children, and you did. They were lovely boys and I envied how close to them you are. They are beautiful and you are doing a great job with them. They look like you and they act like their dad. I don't think Bobbie could have wanted more, except more time, of course.
Hugs,
Lolita
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