Last night Bernard, Jeffrey, Sam and I went to see "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" at the Helen Hayes (formerly "Little")Theater. The final preview before opening this evening. Boy, was it good. Jay Johnson, known for his role in the 70's series "Soap," and his gang of dummies talk about his life as a ventriloquist, recounting scenes with his mentor, etc. for about 90 minutes. It was hilarious, sweet and moving.

Especially to someone sitting in his suit and tie at the computer in an office where it's, you know, ok to be, and he's grateful for the work and the nice people, but, boy, wishes he were somewhere else doing something else. (Got to get a creative project.)

Last night's performance featured the famous Gindin Laugh Trance, experienced every other blue moon or so, when something tickles Sam so much that a very special look comes across his face. He might laugh, cackle or, like, whine/sing. And he cries, well, his eyes tear up. The trance occurred during the first few bars of a monkey singing "Send in the Clowns." The first GLT I experienced was the retelling of the "Chocolate Sauce on the White Dinner Jacket at the Granite in the Catskills." Who knows.

And Jay's parents and sister were in the audience. We were clapping at the end and he asks us to sit down so he can introduce his family. My heart broke. Who doesn't want to star in his own Broadway show with his parents in the audience? Ok, probably a lot of people. But I don't care about them. They can consider it a metaphor. Me: it's what I want.

I'm telling you, it was a very satisfying and entertaining evening at the theater. ("Alone worth the price of the TheatreMania Membership Fee" -- Bernard Feuerman) You should see it. Soon. Go.

By the way, here's his blog.