The year was 1967. The group of us were meeting at Francis and Debbie’s house to discuss the upcoming production of “Curse You, Jack Dalton” by the Methodist youth fellowship. The first showing was right after the Sunday evening church potluck, so we’re expecting a VIP crowd.

The first order of business was casting. My brother was cast as the romantic lead/hero. The fair maiden in distress role went to Denise. I mean, obviously hubba hubba! Then we read the description of Eloise Dalton, the ugly sister of Jack. Tall, awkward, prim, and extremely silly looking. We all bit our tongues and desperately tried not to turn and look at Debbie, for whom this was a perfect description.

So I said, “I’ll play Eloise. “ I was 6‘3“ tall, 145 pounds, and as ruggedly handsome then as I am today. We were able to scare up giant girly clothes at thrift stores, but for feminine size 13 shoes, we needed to rig up something with ribbons and flip-flops as I recall.

no one was told of the casting, except for a few of us who would be backstage. The program read “Eloise Dalton, as herself.” My parents were in the audience, but did not know I would be in the play.

when I walked onto the stage in scene 2, holding the hand of the villain, Egbert Vanhorn, the play had to stop for about five minutes till the audience could get control of itself. I’m 71 years old, and this is still the biggest laugh I ever got in my life.
my opening line with something along the lines of, “Ah have always admired a man with a mustache.” the accent, I was using was something similar to if I had been saying, “ Ah have always relied on the kindness of strangers.”

so anyway, will I be allowed to go to Florida in the future?

Of course you must avoid Florida.
In addition to your drag career you must consider your resemblance to Michelangelo's David. That could cause you a lot of trouble. People might lose their jobs for simply knowing who you are.

quote:

Originally posted by CHAS:

In addition to your drag career you must consider your resemblance to Michelangelo's David. .

good point! You know me so well…

Hahaha!

Hey, you got a laugh onstage. One up on me.

An excellent story with a point well made.

Big Al

quote:

Originally posted by wtg:

unfortunately, Daguerreotypes tend to fade over time if not carefully stored and protected. No surviving copies exist I fear.

No pictures, no worries. You can still move to Tallahassee. But why would you want to?