Lucky Guy: The Musical… and My Life
Posted by Roger Darnell · 2 Comments
In honor of all my friends.When you look at the website for the musical comedy Lucky Guy, this quote leaps right out: “It’s not what you got in life, it’s who you got to share it with that counts.” I find that to be a wonderful observation on life, and it literally connects me to the project, which is written by my charming friend Willard Beckham, whom I met with Beth last year in New York through my larger-than-life pal, Lisa Cleff Kurtz.
In this picture, you can see Willard with other friends we met last June, Nikki and Dana, at Ocean Grill. We had a wonderful time that evening with this crew, which also included Lisa and David Reposar (and Michael Kurtz, in spirit), and as it progressed, Beth and I got to know Willard. Here’s his bio from Goodspeed Musicals’ announcement on their staging of Lucky Guy.
A graduate of The Cleveland Institute of Music, Mr. Beckham made his debut as a composer/lyricist at Carnegie Hall. He was then commissioned to write the first musical comedy ever produced in Korea, Magic in the Mirror, directed by Baayork Lee. As a performer Mr. Beckham toured with the first and second national companies of No, No, Nanette performing with such luminaries as Don Ameche, Evelyn Keyes, June Allyson, and Ann B. Davis. On Broadway, Beckham originated the roles of Geoffrey in Something’s Afoot and Richard Tidewell in The Utter Glory of Morrisey Hall with Celeste Holm.
The video featured above is from Goodspeed’s rehearsals from the show, which ran there last year in May and June. Willard is now shaping up his next plans for Lucky Guy, and his wonderful enthusiasm remains as contagious as it was when we first met last year.
In my own life, where I consider myself to be among the luckiest guys on the planet, having such friends is a great inspiration. Even with a career that I love, and so many other rich blessings, I still have many personal dreams that I fully intend to reach. As Willard’s lead character in Lucky Guy relates so wisely,
“Dreams are a lot like people, they both need someone to believe in ‘em.”
I believe in you, my friends; your examples, and your admiration, spur me on. Thank you!
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Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The only regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of American Airlines, official airline of Goodspeed Musicals, Essex Savings Bank, Hoffman Audi, Blum Shapiro, and support from The National Endowment for the Arts and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. For more information call the Box Office at 860.873.8668 or online at www.goodspeed.org.
www.darnellworks.com
How happy I am to read this! Willard is a long time friend of mine, and I can say from experience that you’ve hit the nail on the head in your description of my favorite Squire! I’m constantly inspired by him. His show Lucky Guy fully reflects what he’s all about! A tip of the 10 gallon Stetson to Squire Willard! I’m a lucky guy to have him in my life.
Thank you very much Andy! Cheers — Roger D.