Below the Radar

[mrdreamjeans]

Celebrity has been a topic I've discussed with some of my San Francisco friends in recent days. I've always aspired to being a working actor respected by my peers, but have never sought out celebrity. Quite honestly, my life can't stand up to inspection:) I want to be a key component, an important thread in the tapestry of a show, but not the center piece. I made peace with this a long time ago.

I have a young acquaintance from Seattle who moved to New York a couple of years ago. He had immediate success, landing a supporting role in "Thoroughly Modern Millie". I was pleased for him. I had seen him in a couple of Seattle productions and my scorecard would be: good singer; passable dancer; soap opera actor; extraordinary looks; ambitious.

I opened USA Today on Friday and saw a review for "All Shook Up", a show based on Elvis Presley's music. Cheyenne is the leading actor. A wonderful break, you would think. But here is what the review says, "Tall, dark and hammy, Cheyenne Jackson plays the Elvis-like leading man with all of the sincerity of a Chippendale dancer trying to bilk a drunk matron." This was actually one of the kinder statements made in the review. It's good to aspire to leading roles, but sometimes it's a nicer view from below the radar, where the work's the thing, not celebrity and its often razor-sharp attention.

Starring on the dance floor Sunday night at the Sundance was TecWizSFo (who recently deleted his live journal). Richard picked me up after my Sunday matinee and we went two-steppin'. There aren't many dancers out there who follow and spin as well as Richard. I had a great time spinnin' him around the floor.

Today, San Francisco's unique topography took the starring role, as I walked through China Town, to the Financial District, Port of San Francisco, Bay Bridge and Embarcadero Center. Is there a city more photogenic than the Foggy City when the sun is shining? It's a rhetorical question:)

Tonight the center of attention was Goat Hill Pizza on Potrero Hill which serves pizza dim sum style on Monday nights. It was my night off from "Evita" and RickSF suggested this unusual dining event. Present for the fun meal were RickSF and his partner David, TecWizSFO and his honey Trey, sflonestar (Jim) and myself. It was a boisterous meal, a congenial group and terrific pizza. The restaurant might be located off the beaten path, but with this unique Monday offering, the place is sure to gain an even greater following.

Sometimes, the spotlight is deserved - whether it's a city, a business, a role in a show... but it's important to be prepared for and comfortable with the resulting attention. The old saying, "Be careful what you wish for..." has truth..and often consequences. Meanwhile, I'm quite comfortable just below the radar:)

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your kind words, but if you'd known me in the late 70's through the early 90's, I think you'd help me avoid any special attention:) With "celebrity" of any sort comes investigation, unwanted attention and close inspection of your every move, particularly in these contentitous times.

My Dad was waxing one day about how fortunate Mom and he were that they had raised such a fine family (which I agree with), but he was going on like we were without flaws. I made a point with him. I said, "Dad, do you realize that if you were running for office, the press and your very own Republican party, would tear you to shreds over family values?" When he started to protest, I outlined how we would be perceived.... I told him...

You have a Gay son, a daughter who is divorced and was abused by one of her husbands; a son, an entreprenuer, who travels all the time and therefore has spent little time with his sons. Both your older son and daughter support progressive causes and speak out regularly against your party. The media and political operatives would chew you up and spit you out. The reality is that we are kind, loyal and loving children who are good to everyone around us, but when the press was through "spinning" our lives, no one would know that." Dad paused for a second and he had to agree.

That's what I meant by my life not standing up to scrutiny:) Hugs!

[cowboygreg.livejournal.com]

Which only goes to prove my point -- you might not "pass" the scrutiny of a pack of hypocrites in the Senate, or devotees of supermarket tabloids, who not many years ago would be leering at some carnival freak show and patting themselves on the back about how cultured and edjumicated they were.

No, you would not. But for those of us who prize kind, caring people who can love and be loved... then you stand up to scrutiny very well indeed.

I mean, if I were to be brought before the Senate for some confirmation hearings, and the questions were not about my qualifications for, say, Chief Gadfly, but about my personal life -- honest answers on my part would require C-SPAN to put up a TV-MA [DSL] warning. :)