Memories From the Stage

It was quite another adventure--doing a madcap little stage production, (the precursor to our film THE PATHETICALLY CHEAP ADVENTURES OF XTRA-MAN). As usual, stage work seems to take a much greater time than film work. It isn't that simple, of course, but most actors rehearse privately for film work, but they get their butts worked off in the theatre--rehearsal after rehearsal. It makes sense. You're up there with no net. No cutting to redo it. What you see is what you get. I think that's what makes it kind of exciting.

Valerie Hager was the young woman who played Subtitle Girl and she did the part very enthusiastically. She even dressed for the part during rehearsals (which made the rehearsals that much more fun). Subtitle Girl jumped onstage every time a film term came up, and read a giant cue card out loud in a very sexy voice. The cue card explained the film term to people who were civilians. Certainly silly. But lots of fun. Valerie was one of the favorites. Years later when I was able to contact her about the film version, she was a member of SAG for a number of years and declined to be involved, although she gamely came to the house and did one of the first readings of the screenplay. These talented people come in and out of our lives in intense flashes, partly because you're all under the gun to create something and every cell in your body is racing to make something magic happen. When it works, it's fulfilling.

One of the other cast members also succeeded in stealing the show every night. His name was John Sarkisian. John was unforgettable with his shaved head, searing eyes, and wild mustache. He was a former Hells' Angel, but had changed his life around and was acting now. He played Killer who was the not-too-bright boyfriend of Danna White. Killer often interrupted the play, but ended up playing one of the characters in the play within the play. Lots of laughs from that guy; the audience just adored him. Later, his phone stopped working and I tried to call him. No luck. So I called his agent who told me that John had died. It always stuns me a bit. The journey here often ends far too soon. Here's to you John. We will always remember you!