Tag Archives: Laurette Taylor

“Make voyages! — Attempt them! — there’s nothing else …” Happy Birthday, Tennessee Williams

Tennessee Williams (Thomas Lanier Williams) was born on this day in Columbus, Mississippi in 1911. I love this early note from Tennessee Williams because it already incorporates his most famous line, from Streetcar Named Desire. Will you do a total … Continue reading

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For International Women’s Day: Ladies I Love

These women inspire, entertain, challenge, comfort, provoke, or were “there” in my formative years as an inspiration. The list is huge. Below the jump.

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In Praise of Laurette Taylor: “The Rocks Became Real.”

If you know about 20th century American theatre, you know about Laurette Taylor. I never saw her live. How could I? She died in 1946, right after her triumphant raise-the-bar-for-everyone-for-all-time performance as Amanda Wingfield in the premiere production of Tennessee … Continue reading

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Quotes on acting 4: Laurette Taylor

“The student of acting sits before her performance [as Amanda Wingfield in Glass Menagerie] and marvels at the series of constant surprises with which she rewards him. Her phrasing and accent of a line is so often unexpected, her movement … Continue reading Continue reading

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Today in history: March 26, 1914

Tennessee Williams (Thomas Lanier Williams) was born in Columbus, Mississippi. Will you do a total stranger the kindness of reading his verse? Thank you! Thomas Lanier Williams — Tennessee Williams, letter to editor Harriet Monroe, March 11, 1933 “You’re always … Continue reading

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The Books: “Laurette. The Intimate Biography of Laurette Taylor By Her Daughter” (Marguerite Courtney)

Daily Book Excerpt: Entertainment Biography/Memoir Laurette: The Intimate Biography of Laurette Taylor, by Marguerite Courtney Laurette Taylor had a long (and rather checkered) stage career – Broadway and regional – starting in 1909 – a career where her really big … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Tennessee Williams

Will you do a total stranger the kindness of reading his verse? Thank you! Thomas Lanier Williams — Tennessee Williams, letter to editor Harriet Monroe, March 11, 1933 “You’re always having to compete with yourself. They always say, ‘It’s not … Continue reading

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PBS, Thank You for Broadway: The Golden Age

Last night, I happened to catch the final half-hour of a certain fund-raising drive on my local PBS channel – and they were showing an absolutely MARVELOUS documentary called Broadway: The Golden Age. It’s eventually going to be a 3-part … Continue reading

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The Books: “The Glass Menagerie” (Tennessee Williams)

Next in my Daily Book Excerpt: Next on my script shelf: Next Tennessee Williams play? His first success, the play that made him a star: The Glass Menagerie. After the flop of his first play, Battle of Angels, Williams went … Continue reading

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Top 10 Theatrical Moments I Wish I Could Have Seen

1. Laurette Taylor as Amanda Wingfield in Glass Menagerie – the production in Chicago. BEFORE it came to New York. 2. Marlon Brando in the premiere of Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway. 3. Eleanora Duse doing anything. 4. One of … Continue reading

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