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

[poohbearjim.livejournal.com]

Thank you for pointing out that pizza joint - I didn't know about it!

Being an aspiring novelist, I often struggle with internal debates as to whether I should have a goal of commercial success or critical adulation. In most aspects of my life, I've commonly drifted toward the high road, but it gets frustrating when one sees inferiority rewarded. Maybe I need to write the 2005 version of Naked Came the Stranger.

[abearius.livejournal.com]

I hope I can help you fill those jeans with a memory or two. Not thinking about a dream, of course. :-)

[sflonestar.livejournal.com]

I had a great time last night. It's great that you are enjoying San Francisco. I can't believe you are already half way through your run here. See you in a few days, Neil. Hugs.

[cowboygreg.livejournal.com]

"Quite honestly, my life can't stand up to inspection"

*cough*bullshit*cough*

Your life stands up just fine to inspection. You're just too perceptive (and far too modest and intelligent) to be happy in the role of "Celebrity", which in these oh-so-enlightened times has taken on many of the social functions once reserved for the carnival sideshow.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It's a very real struggle. I've been in shows that have been huge commercial successes like "Phantom of the Opera". "Phantom" is a show that everyone and their neighbor takes potshots at, including many of the actors in it who despair at being in a commercial "cash cow". Funny, they don't have any trouble finding uses for the money they earn through the longeivty engendered by the show's success. I was always very grateful that the masses flocked to the show. It has allowed me to do many things in my life I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise...like build and own a home.

On the other hand, in terms of my song-writing and script-writing, I hope it finds an audience, but it isn't as significant to me, if it doesn't. I write for me first and have always felt no one can take my words or impulse that created them from me. I'd like my songs to be recorded (not by me, but by other vocalists) and my scripts produced (often unrecognizable once edited by others for production, but hey, at least a couple have been produced:).

When I reflect on your remarks, I think I most often seek critical respect, when it comes to my writing, but appreciate making a living from my performing, thus understanding what commercial success brings to me in terms of quality of life.

Thanks for a thought-provoking comment. I will continue to think about your "internal debate" today, as I am responding at 7:30am and my brains are still scrambled eggs:) Hugs!

[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!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I didn't really realize that dim sum was a style of dining, rather than a type of cuisine, until last night. When you arrive, you are seated at your table. There is a salad bar of which you can partake; a server takes your drink orders, but then throughout the time you're there, there are several servers moving from table to table offering small slices of every kind of pizza imaginable. The pizza was yummy and it was a really fun environment. I think the idea will catch on elsewhere. It's not really much different from a buffet, except they bring the pizza to you and there were a lot more choices than you would find on a buffet.

[orange-groves.livejournal.com]

I'll take you, poohbearjim.

Celebrity is fleeting and is based more on who you know rather than how you act. I think you are the wiser not to have tried for faux notoriety.

Sorry I missed the gang last night - I was just way too tired by the time I got home.

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

we're gonna make you pop-u-lar, oh!

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Neil, another wonderful and thought provoking post.

This post has the ability to bring about many conversations on so many different levels due to the subject matter.

When I went for the interview at Available Personnel to restart my file there, Jenny asked me what I was looking for and one of the questions she asked were do you prefer front office or back office? I said I can do both, but in thinking I think back office as I find that the supporting roles are just as important as the receptionist.

Come to think of it, that's how I want to be really, the guy who supports the main guy as without the support, the main guy doesn't stand a chance. It's interesting that that thought is something I just became aware of in recent weeks. Hmmm, perhaps I'm growing a bit. :-)

In the end, I've never aspired to be an actor or be famous as I don't want to be viewed as an Idol, nor to I worship Idols (However, I'll worship you if you so kindly ask... LOL.) All kidding aside, It is true that we'd best be careful of what we ask for. What I see is this, many people get sucked into the bright lights syndrome and do not think of the consequences of being famous and when they do realize the reality, it's often too late and many let that fame get to their heads. Sad really, but that's life for many.

Anyhow, I like you analogy of being below the radar. I find it often provides the best of both worlds, a more steady income, and yet, the freedom of not being the main attraction in a production.

You just keep on being you Neil. I too come from a loving family, but there again, it's far from perfect (one fundy sister, two sisters who've divorced, one gay son, one sister with brain cancer but we all love each other as best we can and that in the end, is enough).

[crunchmd.livejournal.com]

Cheyenne Jackson? Now *there's* a porn star name if I ever heard one.

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

Goat Hill has been doing the pizza dim sum for years but you should note that its only on Mondays and the crowd after 6PM can be huge.

A group goes from time to time, no set schedule. I'll make a mental note to alert you when we go next!

[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. :)

Celebs??? On, hear this!

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

What are you talking about 'below radar'??? You've got a fan club bigger than Lagerfeld's fan right here on LJ whose SF contingency's wining and dining you practically every night and God only knows what else? Ahemm!... I should be so lucky should I premiere outhere!

Anyway wanna hear a couple of celebs stories?

. BEIGE/NYC
I'm in the rags trade and a few years back was being wined and dined by a fabric mill's rep who happened to fancy me. So, he invited me to BEIGE, at the time NYC's IT place for all the 'must' dignitaries within the 500-mile radius. What's his name Sabato with the body and that Duran Duran short queen were on hand that night to help heighten the anticipation of a Debbie Harry improv.
When we arrived, there was a line 3 NY BLOCKS LONG in spite of a drizzling november rain. So, we strode up to the velvet rope and before I knew what was going, my date announced to the door kids throwing his head my way: "Jackie Chang!". Like the 2 magic words that would open the phaoroh's tomb for Indiana Jones, they promptly bowed and undid the rope for us: "Oh yes, right this way!". Now, I must point out that I look NOTHING like Jackie Chang, neither face nor body, not to mention that I'm much taller than the man too.
Dazed, I followed my date to our table: "What?... How?...", to which he snapped: "Jackie Chang is supposed to be here tonight, ok? So, calm yourself and sit down!". Impressed, I asked: "How d'you know he's supposed to be here?". With Garfield's eyes, he purred: "You know these things when you live in NY and want to advantage of the VIP entrance to Beige on a rainy night!".
Neither Debbie Harry nor Jackie Chang ever showed up. So, when one of the restaurant's managers walked up to offer us complimentary hors-d'oeuvres, my date informed him at once that he was at the wrong table. Astonished, the maitre d' turned to look for help when my date introduced me in a whisper as though to scold the m.d' for his ignorance: "This is the designer TN. Next in line to Moschino?". To which I muttered: "Well... in the 80's, that was". Of course, Moschino had been dead for several years even if I did have a stint at his place during the time when it was'nt selling a stitch of clothing.
The maitre d' backed away absolutely perturbed. "What the hell??? Hey! Will somebody PLEASE give those morons at the door some current headshots, PLEASE!!!".
The dinner for 2 with entrees consisting of a flanc topped with a single prawn inferior to the size of those in Chinatown but elaborately decorated with a jungle of greens topped with caramel sauces of assorted colors tallied up to $275.00 and change which ended up on my date the fab rep's biz account credit card.

LONDON
After landing an order from the pretigious Browns Research, I was invited to a dinner party graced by the mother-of-fabulous Zandra Rhodes. When one of these critic vultures was getting ready to beat on my stuff, Zandra Rhodes pre-empted the attempt with a wave to shoo the bitch away, then turned to me and said with a wrinkle of the nose: "Those who cannot do! Only noise, yes?" - I nodded sheepishly: "If you say so, Goddess of Truth!" - I bowed. She laughed.

Re: Celebs??? On, hear this!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Great stories!! LOL! I went shopping the other day here in San Francisco and thought I'd buy myself a shirt. Macy's was having a great sale. The only shirt I liked in the store was not on sale. It was a Moschino shirt priced at $295. Needless to say, I remained a descamisado (a shirtless one:)

In younger years, I've been mistaken for the baseball player Mark McGuire and for the actor Jon Voight. I didn't exploit the situations to my advantage, though others encouraged me to do so:)

Ha!

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

As a virgin member of your LJ fan club, I forbid you to even consider let alone buy that kinda eurotra-a-esh! LOL

Mass name-prostitution of the dead, no matter how iconic the name, is for the wannabes, papi! Frank would'ntve approved! He did'nt coin the term "Cheap and Chic" for nothing?

BTW, I made a typo error in my previous post: As we were sitting down, my date, the fab rep, began to fill me in on the parade of NY queendom's hierachy: "These are the wannabes and these... are the must-bes!", he mused, "They MUST be 'important' at all costs, you see?...". I nudged: "And the ones that ARE?" "Why, they never show up, silly!", he snarled.

Macy's... Were they nice to you? I ran into the worse attitude-engorged biche there one time! Course, I'm sure I was on the verge of PMS myself? :)... We were both waving our fully-deployed claws at each other with him hissing contemptuously: "I'm sorry, this is NOT on sale! And the price izzzzzzz $1,500.00!", as though the very mention of the sum automatically insures true worth, and me quipping: "Then, the more reason it should fit better!".

I could see how you'd be the love child of Mark McGwire and Jon Voight!... more Jon Voight.

Even though he's growing up to be such a caliente papito, did'nt MMcW seem a little tired when he was testifying on TV recently? I wonder if all that steroid's finally taking its toll? The idea of his nuts shrunk by the side effects - I can't bear it!

Decamisado?... Pero BESAMEMUCHO in SAN FRANCISCO, NO??? hihihi!!!