In August of 1964, Joe and his brother Jim and I got involved in College Theater. Joe’s mom was drawn to show biz people. So when she found out a choreographer friend of hers (CoraLee) was working on Cabrillo College’s musical “South Pacific”, the three of us were easily roped in, especially since Jim had been in the previous years summer production of “Music Man”.
I had never participated in anything like that in high school. I was much too shy, plus we lived so far up in the mountains, I knew it would be a hardship for my father to drive me to town for rehearsals. I had been out in the workplace for about 6 months, so I was getting braver, so I tried out for the part of a native dancing girl on Bali Hai. Joe and Jim both got parts in the group of army guys who sang and danced on the beach.
I practiced the dancing parts and was approved of but then found I was going to be wearing a very skimpy costume. I knew my father would be attending at least opening night, so I was extremely nervous. Not unjustifiably so, as he was distressed I was willing to be seen in public like that; it was the first of many trials to come between my father and my future in-laws.
I remember my shock when backstage I discovered people were very uninhibited. One girl sat in her bra while people wandered in and out during make-up prep. It was my introduction to the world of acting and working with people of very different temperaments and sense of modesty.
The girl who played the part of Bloody Mary was the local girl who had lost her leg to a shark while surfing on the beach. She played the part so very well, as did the people with singing parts. The group I danced with became skilled in dancing with sticks. I felt like a celebrity and enjoyed the experience and have always wanted to try it again…but haven’t.
I still love all those songs like “101 Pounds of Fun – that’s my little honey bun”; I’m as corny as Kansas in August, high as a kite on the fourth of July. If you’ll excuse an expression I use, I’m in love with a wonderful guy.” ”I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair” and “There is nothing like a Dame.”
So South Pacific is a part of who I am; was my debut and swan song as an actress. After one night’s performance, Joe proposed and I said, “Yes”.
