I'm Back!
by Michael B. Druxman on 06/08/13
June 10, 2013
So, I'm back from Fort Wayne, IN, and the production of my play, LOMBARD, at that city's Civic Theatre. The role in the one-person play was played by Jessica Butler, and she is an extremely talented actress.
I like going places, but I do hate traveling. Indeed, I'm still a bit weary from the trip and I've been home a week already.
From Austin, I had to fly to Atlanta, then change planes for Fort Wayne. That wasn't too bad, since there was only an hour layover, but coming home I went via Detroit and spent almost 3 hours in that airport.
I had a wonderful time in Fort Wayne, and was treated very well by my hosts. They put me up at the downtown Hilton, and I had my own driver to take me wherever I wanted to go. Naturally, first stop on my list for Carole Lombard's childhood home. The current owners were very gracious; gave me a tour of the house, which is filled with photos of Carole.
I also visited the graves of Johnny Appleseed (Yes, he was a real person), and Homer Van Meter, who ran with John Dillinger. Being a Dillinger buff, I just had to see that one, and what surprised me was that there were fresh flowers on his grave.
Why is that surprising?
Because Homer, a vicious criminal and killer, was shot down in the early 1930s.
On Friday (opening) night, we got a terrific downpour in Fort Wayne, the upper end of the weather system that was devastating much of the Midwest. We've had heavy rains like that in Austin, but never for that length of time.
On Sunday, I presented a workshop for wannabe screenwriters, then enjoyed a second performance of my play. I sold/signed quite a few copies of my memoir, MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD AND HOW I ESCAPED ALIVE, while I was in Fort Wayne.
BTW: The local Fort Wayne paper gave the play a rave review.
There are two new reviews posted on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section on this page. They are QUARTET, directed by Dustin Hoffman, and IF I WERE YOU. Both are delightful comedies.
You have a creative week.
Michael
