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News

Sometimes Career Highlights. Sometimes Blog Entries

Blog: Love Letters

1/21/2009

0 Comments

 
PictureGrandma Randy

“I like the feel like having shared pages and the reminder that I have spent a lot of time with this verbal friend”

In my living room, in the corner, stands a bookshelf filled with all of my books that I consider “workbooks.” Along the top shelf are my scripts, along the bottom shelf are many vocal selections and scores. Near the middle though, sits a series of worn and torn books on the history of theatre, many series of classic plays that will not be mixed with the other scripts, and a used copy of the play “love letters”

The interesting connection with that particular play is that one, it is one of my favorites, and two, each of these books is a love letter from one lover of theatre to another. As I pick them up from the shelf, I am thinking of the wonderful woman who handed them down to me.
Throughout my life, I have had many mentors in writing, in music, in drama, in life. From the amazing support of parents, and teachers, to friends and extended family, support has never been in short supply. I know some amazing people.

One of these amazing wonders is a woman named Grandma Randy, who upon seeing the light of theatre light up my eyes as a child, encouraged it any chance she got. She wasn’t my actual grandmother, but, the mother of my mom’s friend, she always took an interest in me. Growing up, she always asked what I was doing, always told me about shows. I remember seeing her in Arsenic and Old Lace at the La Habra Theatre Depot, and going to my first cast party at her house as a child. I remember her there when I stepped off stage after my first performance as the Baker in Into the Woods. She was always there, and while this support was amazing, nothing compared to a few years later when, at 19, I received a package in the mail.
Inside, was a book, “Classic through Modern Drama” and upon opening, an inscription to be read.

“I have decided to share my library with you, Mark, while I still can, know you might enjoy it.”- 1999

Over the next year, these random packages continued….with “Classic Theatre: the fundamentals of Drama”

“In gratitude for our friendship and with hope and certainty that you will always allow Drama to teach you about the world of mankind and about man at his finest, allowing you to emulate the best of virtues, grace, kindness, discipline, dedication to things worthy of your talents, love, mercy, compassion, and the ability to see something worthwhile in all persons,”

Such eloquence! Such a way with words. We would sit in my room, during my parents Christmas parties and talk about theatre, when not many other would know just how deep my passion and knowledge for the subject was, she knew. And she continued to feed it. By chance, I found out she was in a play that I love, “Love Letters” about reading a series of letters between friends. And suddenly, as I pick through this shelf, I am in that play with her…reading these letters.

The next package contained her copy of her script, complete with her notes, highlighted lines, and blocking. 

“I wanted you to add this to your collections. Know you won’t need it for years, maybe never, but there’s a part of me in it. All your efforts are important to me!!! The “Connect” I’m so grateful to you for coming and being there. 
Always, Randy” – 2000

The next letter I received was not from Randy, but from my Mom, who had sent me a copy of a letter Randy had written to her. 

“Parents, it seems to me, so often get short changed in hearing praise for their offspring’s outstanding character and caring. Someday, as you pursue your teaching career, you too will have acquired a nice little pile of genuine expressions of gratitude for your influence. They always come as such a shock to me. Today’s mail brought the most beautiful thank you shock I have EVER received. I always really questioned whether I should send Mark some books with thoughts like “This is old classic stuff- he’ll laugh at ol’ Grandma Randy.” But I took a chance. This letter of today means so much to me. It is so well written and expresses gratitude and appreciation far-so far- beyond my expectations. If he were here, he’d be smothered with old lady kisses, poor guy. Then a few finger crunching hand shakes followed by pinch in the rear for a humility reminder. Much of the gratitude I feel today is because of your influence so please, mother of Mark, accept my thanks. Could you believe he addressed the envelope (caps, no less) GRANDMA RANDY!!!! Talk about a loving ego boost. WOW!!! I’ll bask in his letter for weeks and then see what needs to be “handed over” to the young and loved. Perhaps, though, you’ll, meanwhile, share my joy with him and insert please if convenient his birth date and email. 

Loving and gratefully, 
Grandma Randy”

Through books, through letters, and through performance the inspiration continued. That December I got “Masters of Modern Drama” in the mail. I opened it before I even stepped back from the front porch.

“I hope you can find a place in your library for this old book. Few of these plays are performed anymore. They contain great character studies, but audiences prefer more to be entertained today. Someday, though, on your own or in a Drama Class you might spend some time with these great playmakers.

This book, as you can see, is beat up. I hope you don’t mind that. I have a bible that is much worse than this, coverless, pages marked and torn, and someone said, “Why don’t you get it rebound?” Why? Should I give a dear friend a facelift? A new make up job to “change” them? I guess a book would last longer but I like the feel like having shared pages and the reminder that I have spent a lot of time with this verbal friend. Perhaps for worse, two or three pages are missing, I used them when I played “Josephine” in “The mad woman of chaillot” at the bing theatre, by the museum of art in LA. Little theatres from all over did play excerpts. The event lasted all day. When the awards were given that day, I was shocked to hear my name in the best supporting actress category. The one play I always wanted to do lies within these covers. “The Visit” doubt it will ever be performed anywhere for years…then if the proverbial pendulum swings, someone will realize its characters are timeless.

I will always be interested in what you are doing with your life, Mark.”

Books, letters, conversations that picked up where they left off even after I moved to New York. The interest was always there. Last time we spoke, we were sitting in the backyard, by the pool on a beautiful mother’s day. I had just flown in. I sat down with her, gave her a hug and her first words were… “So what are you doing now?” 
The last letter I received was a while ago. They were in regards to a play I had written that she had not been able to attend. 

“I was so pleased and delighted that to see that you are pursuing your interests in the theatre. Know you have a gift; I am proud that you are using that precious gift.! I would have loved to see your contribution/production and have loved having the program your Mom brought me gracing my counter.”

Yesterday, at work, I commented that I was saddened for a reason I didn’t know. I attributed it to the gloomy day, or little petty things adding up at work, but it didn’t make sense. Throughout the day, it seemed to get darker and more turbulent inside me. By the time I rushed out of work, I knew something was off. It was then I saw I had a voicemail from my mom.

“Grandma Randy passed away this morning….”

We had known it was coming, so I wasn’t surprised, but nothing could take away the sadness. Not just that she was gone, but because the world lost someone amazing. Everyone needs a mentor like that. Everyone needs that support and love that only a beautiful and inspiring person can give. I know that when I have been sad, those books have brought me back. When I have felt frustrated, those letters have helped relieve the anger. When I have felt like giving up, those words have encouraged me to keep going. 

On the middle of my bookshelf is a series of books that given from on theatre lover to another. They have moved with me from Covina, to Orange County to New York and carry the words of amazing playwrights, masterful storytellers and also, no not also, but most importantly, they carry the words of one amazing mentor.

And as I write a final thank you letter in my head, but the only words that come are her own inspiring words. 

“I like the feel like having shared pages and the reminder that I have spent a lot of time with this verbal friend”

I love you and miss you Grandma Randy

Love Mark
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    Mark-Eugene Garcia

    Writer/Actor/Storyteller. Theatre Maker. Husband. Bad Hombre. Cat Taunter.

    Contents


      • Winner: Best Supporting Actor - British Web Awards

      • Review: Jaime Lozano and La Familia's "Songs by an Immigrant" album gives a heartfelt voice to the Latinx Experience- DC Metro Theatre Arts

      • Review: Songs by an Immigrant Makes Bold Statements at Every Theatrical Turn - Broadwayworld.com

      • Jaime Lozano and The Familia Release New Video "Hold Tight"

      • Am I The King of the World or In Davy Jones Locker? Find out on The Spoony Bard's Aural Theatre Podcast- Permadeth! 024: Survival At Sea

      • People En Espanol names "Hold Tight" as One of Eight Songs You Need to Hear

      • A Best Supporting Actor Nomination from British Web Awards.

      • Best Performance Award Winner From the 2020 Creature Feature Competition

      • Spotlight: Wasted on the Young

      • Track-By Track Breakdown: Lin-Manuel Miranda Introduces Jaime Lozano's Songs by an Immigrant- Playbill


      • Mark-Eugene Garcia and Ashley talk about Musical Theatre, Acting, and Depression - Eff Your Fears Podcast


      • Cast Album: The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota

      • Mark and Rodrigo Join Other Interracial Couples Reflecting on BLM- Bloop


      • Jaime Lozano and The Familia Release 'Hold Tight', Collaboration With Raul Midon.


      • Standby is included in Frolics "Love This, Try That: TV Shows and Musicals Edition

      • Making Multiple Encores Talking About Encore! on the Encore! Encore! Podcast With Ben Siemon and Hanna LoPatin!

      • Back to the Woods Again. Again. The Encore! Encore! Podcast Covers -Encore! Into The Woods


      • Music Video: "Screen to Screen" by David and Paul Rigano featuring the #friendsofriganosongbook


      • Into the Woods we Encore Again Again

      • Standby is Included in Frolic's "Love This Musical? Try THAT YA Novel!"


      • Kristen Bell's Encore! Reunites High School Theatre Geeks!- Gush About


      • Binge Alert: Season One Of Demon Doctor is Available for Streaming


      • Get Ready For Chills and Laughs: The Demon Doctor Trailer is Released


      • Tiempo De Premio: 8TP at the New York Innovative Theatre Awards

      • Standby is included in Frolic's "Four Musicals You Need To Listen To Immediately."


      • #ToySoldierMark is Back Back Back Again

      • Spotlight: Eight Tales of Pedro at the Secret Theatre

      • Award Winning Latinx Play Returns to the Secret Theatre for 11 More Shows- LIC Post"

      • Playwright Interview with the 50 Playwright's Project"

      • A Thought Provoking Focus On Latino Heritage- Queens Chronicle

      • #Personofchange: An Interview with Mark-Eugene Garcia


      • Video: The Skeleton Crew Season 4 Trailer

      • Eight Tales of Pedro Returns to the Secret Theatre In October


      • Spotlight: Eight Tales of Pedro at the Un-Fringed Festival

      • Play Opening Sunday Explores the Story of Modern Latinos- LIC Post


      • Video: Eight Tales of Pedro on TIEMPO with Joe Torres


      • Dramaturge for The Temple of The Souls at the New York Musical Theatre Festival"


      • 8TP - Giving Myself Permission To Write

      • Perfect Timing During The Deadliest Decade


      • MEET THE CAST OF UNDERPANTS GODOT!- Secret Theatre Interview!

      • Blog: When it Happens: My Journey Through Anxiety


      • Duncan Pflaster and Mark-Eugene Garcia discuss Terror Train on the Screamqueenz Podcast"

    • Encore, Kristen Bell's Reunion of High School Theatre Classmates, Needs To Be A Full Series Immediately- Reality Blurred

    • Getting Unstrapped in Strapped for Danger

    • Kristen Bell Reunites High School Musical Cast Members for Encore! Premiering December 10 on ABC- Playbill

    • Spotlight: Encore! on ABC with Kristen Bell!!!

    • Video: Encore! Preview on ABC Denver

    • Kristen Bell Explains Why Encore! Is the Perfect Show for These Anxious Times- Entertainment Weekly"

    • If You Were a Theatre Kid, You Should Watch ABC's Encore!- Vulture

    • Video: The Official Encore! Trailer

    • Kristen Bell Returns to Theatre Roots with ABC's Encore!- Variety


    • Entertainment Tonight Releases the Encore! Trailer!!

    • Encore! Sets Premiere Date and Will Feature Into the Woods


    • Spotlight: Standby at the Towle Theatre

    • Midwest Premiere of "Standby" at Towle Theatre- PanoramaNOW Entertainment News


    • Towle's "Standby" Deals With Timely Topic- Chicago Tribune


    • Review: The Underpants Godot Works On Many Levels

    • Spotlight: The Underpants Godot at the Secret Theatre

    • Video: Waiting for Godot (Avant Garde) - The Underpants Godot


    • Video: Christina Bianco sings "My Faith In You" From the Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota


    • Video: Mario Mazzetti sings "Still Standing" at Underscore Theatre Company

    • Video: World Premiere of New Song "Don't Wait" at the Underscore Theatre Company in Chicago

    • Video: Underscore Theatre Company performs "'To Feel Alive"

    • Video: Mikki Miraj sings "Last Goodbye" at Underscore Theatre Company

    • Blog: Orlando

    • Review: Facing East is Both Heartbreaking and Revitalizing

    • Video: Facing East Final Week

    • Video: Alyssa McGuigan sings "Mr. Right Now" from The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota at Don't Tell Mama.

    • Spotlight: Standby in the Overtures Series at the Gallery Players

    • Video: Facing East World Premiere Opening Night


    • Spotlight: The World Premiere of Facing East: A New Musical at the Jericho Arts Center in Vancouver

    • Review: Facing East: A New Musical Challenges LGBTQ biases - Broken Leg Reviews

    • Blog: Facing East- Bringing my Dad into the Story

    • Blog: Gems by Jack

      <
    • Reunited: Private Standby Table Read


    • Goodnight to Our World of Toys


    • Review: Facing East in Concert- LondonTheatre1

    • Video: FACING EAST LONDON - In Rehearsals!

    • Spotlight: Six Silences in Three Movements at the Brick Theatre


    • Video: Facing East in Concert at the Lyric Theatre, London

    • Write Naked/ Write Now in GoNaked Magazine


    • Video: Kristine Humerfelt sings "Without A Doubt" from Standby at Presented by Lights Up Entertainment in Liverpool.

    • #ToySoldierMark at FAO Schwarz


    • Feeling Blissfull with Bliss at all the Awards


    • Video: She Called It Hair Gel- from Broadway's Epic Fail


    • Jenna Leigh Green, Russell Ficscher and More Sings Songs That Are An Epic Fail- Playbill


    • What an abstract experience "Born to Die: Trapped Abstract" was


    • Epic Fail at the New York Musical Theatre Festival


    • Video: Mario Mazzetti sings "Still Standing" at Underscore Theatre Company

    • Spotlight: Bliss By Hannah Leshaw

    • Spotlight: (Un)Missed Connections at the Abstract Sentiment Theatre Company


    • Video: Evie Pickerill sings "Home By Now" from Standby at Lights Up Entertainment in Liverpool.

    • Video: Camile Favre sings "Travel On" from Standby at Lights Up Entertainment

    • Cast Album: Standby


    • Attending "Uncle Fester's Hurricane Party"

    • Arc of Triumph: Mark-Eugene Garcia’s Poetry Inspired His Plays & Musicals


    • Behind The Scenes: Recording the Standby Cast Album


    • The Holy Cows of Credence South Dakota at the Planet Connections Theatre Awards

    • Video: Peter DiCesare performs "Still Standing" from Facing East at At Mama's Party

    • Blog: Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

    • Blog: If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

    • Blog: What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

    • Blog: When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

    • Blog: If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?y

    • Blog: Which is worse, failing or never trying?

    • Blog: How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

    • Spotlight: Facing East Concert in Dallas


    • Blog: Travel On

    • Video: Standby- Meet The Band

    • Video: Standby- Behind the Music

    • Review: Standby at the New York Musical Festival - Lettersfromthemezz

    • Video: Standby at Broadway Sessions

    • Spotlight: Standby at the New York Musical Theatre Festival

    • Video: Standby Now Playing at the NYMF

    • Opening Night! Standby at the New York Musical Festival

    • Video: Standby- Road to the New York Musical Theatre Festival

    • Standby at the New York Stock Exchange

    • Countdown to Standby at the New York Musical Festival- Darren Ritchie Presents "Nothing But The Truth"


    • Sneak Peek: Standby in Production

    • Video: About Standby

    • Planet Connections Interview- Mark-Eugene Garcia of "The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota

    • Video: The Holy Cows: Writer Interview

    • Spotlight: The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota at the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity

    • Video: Julia Menn sings "Even Then" From Holy Cows at Cows Night Out


    • Cows' Night Out at Hurley's Saloon. Presented by The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota.

    • The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota Joins the 5th Annual Planet Connections Theatre Festivity- Theatremania

    • Video: "From Out Of Left Field" by the Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota

    • Jenna Leigh Green, Darren Ritchie, Matt Shingledecker and More Will Fly Standby at NYMF

    • Behind the Scenes of Filming Bliss


    • Why the F did we do Promenade?

    • World Premiere: "What Friends Are For" plays as part of Gaylicious at The Stonewall Inn


    • Blog: Standing By

    • Blog: A Cousin Is Your First Best Friend


    • Video: Standby Performs Preview Medley at The NY International Fringe Festival Teaser at Jimmy's No. 43, NYC

    • The Darker Side of FringeNYC- Gay City News

    • Losing My Pants At The Planet Connection Awards

    • Review: Standby- TimeOut New York

    • Video: Standby at NYC Fringe Previews

    • Spotlight: Standby at the New York International Fringe Festival


    • Behind the Scenes: Standby in rehearsals for NYCFringe


    • Spotlight: Inscriptions at the Puzzle: Marbles Festival of New Works

    • Review: The Taint of Equality at the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity- Happiest Medium

    • Review: (un)Missed Connections- 2012 Planet Connections Festivityy

    • Planet Connections Interview- Mark-Eugene Garcia of (un)missed connections.

    • Spotlight: The Taint of Equality or I Want Your Sex

    • Video: Sneak Peek at (Un)Missed Connections

    • Spotlight: (Un)Missed Connections at the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity

    • Sneak Peek: The Taint Of Equality Rehearsals

    • (Un)Missed Connections presents and evening benefiting GLAAD at Vlada.


    • (Un)missed Connections- 5 Things to Know About The Show Before You Go. - The Happiest Medium

    • Countdown to (Un)Missed Connections

    • Wit. Daring. And two Orgies! - AM New York

    • Blog: Writing My Mother

    • The Taint of Equality or I Want Your Sex- Time Out New York Feature

    • Video: For Whole the Southern Bell Tolls at the CCNY One Act Festival

    • Little Corner Novel wins Dortort Prize in Creative Writing

    • Spotlight: Treasure at the Secret Theatre- Featuring "Inscriptions"


    • A Statement by Mark-Eugene Garcia - The Greener Room


    • Spotlight: One Night At the Golden Boot - Instant Theatre

    • This is My Jenny Commercial

    • Spotlight: The Full Monty at City College New York


    • Video: Kevin Duda sings "Still Standing" from Facing East at The Metropolitan Room

    • Untucked: Five Short Plays Celebrating the LGBT Community

    • Spotlight: Facing East in Chicago


    • Developmental Concert of New Musical "Facing East" to benefit The Trevor Project

    • Spotlight: The Man Who Loved Islands


    • Spotlight: Men in Towels at the Erotic Cabaret

    • Extreme Weight Loss: The Diet Secrets Behind Three Local's Amazing Slim-Downs


    • MK-Ultra: The movie that could have been awesome!

    • Spotlight: The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota at The Puzzle: Marble's Festival of New Works

    • Spotlight: Pioneer One

    • Spotlight: Nocturnal Fury

    • Behind the Scenes of Nocturnal Fury


    • "Six Silences In Three Movements" is Poetry In Motion

    • Spotlight: Six Silence In Three Movements in Manhattan Theatre Rep

    • Duncan Pflaster's "Six Silences In Three Movements" Begins a Limited Run This Weekend- Stagebuzz

    • Video: Six Silence in Three Movements - Promo Video

    • Spotlight: The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center.


    • Spotlight: 10 Pages, 25 Words, And A Nude Scene At the Nuyorican Poets Cafe


    • Spotlight: Hamlet at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Centery

    • Spotlight: The Boys In The Band at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center


    • Music Video: Vampire Drag Queen


    • Spotlight: New York” at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center


    • Spotlight: The Banana Kiwi Murders


    • Spotlight: The Messageboard

    • Spotlight: Leaves of Grass: A Nude Adaptation of The Iconic Song of Myself at the Cell Theatre


    • NYC Stage Debut! Love Creek Productions: Brief Acts


    • Blog: My 25 Facts

    • Blog: Love Letters

    • Disney's Flashback 06 at the Hyperion Theatre Disney's California Adventure

    • Spotlight: Up in the Air reading at the Colony Theatre Burbank


    • Happy Birthday, Mr. Sondheim! - At the Hollywood Bowl



    • Disney's Flashback at the Hyperion Theatre- Disneys California Adventure

    • Up! In the Air (Academy of New Musical Theatre) - Bookwriter/Lyricist


    • Spotlight: "The Journey" at the Academy of New Musical Theatre


    • Spotlight: If Men Played Cards As Women Do at Citrus College


    • Spotlight: Oklahoma! - Covina Valley Playhouse


    • Spotlight: The Rainmaker at Citrus College

    • Spotlight: Fiddler On The Roof- Covina Valley Playhouse -


    • Spotlight: City of Angels at the Covina Valley Playhouse


    • Spotlight: The Mousetrap at Citrus College


    • Festival Of Short Plays- Citrus College


    • Channel Surfing- Where so much began

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