April 19th . . .

. . . was a big day!
I registered as a participant in the Run As One 4 Mile Race in Central Park. My friend, Joe, talked me into it against my better judgment, as I had a big "reunion" event later in the day. But the Run As One race is to benefit and increase awareness of Lung Cancer. It was this cause which motivated me. I ran for Janet Ward, who died from Lung Cancer before she had a chance to play the part of her life. There are thousands more like her, and little is known about the causes of this particular cancer.

Here is Joe at the starting corral:


Here I am before the race:

I came in 7,450th! But I ran the entire 4 miles.

So a few hours later, I went to see Exit the King. Nan and I had talked about going months ago, and she ultimately got the tickets (great seats—thanks Nan). But after the tickets were bought, I had the idea to invite all the people from the Shade Company that produced the play back in 1971, and then made a 35mm film of it in 1972. So I did. All of them responded! Patricia was in Dubai, Hal was in a production of La Cage aux Folles in Charleston, Toni was in Yale directing an Italian opera, and Justine couldn't make it. But three of us—half the cast—did show up at the same performance. It was great! Geoffrey Rush was wild and funny, Susan Sarandon was very good, but Andrea Martin almost stole the show as Juliette. Michael Moody, who played the guard in the Shade film came with his son. He was a old friend of Andrea's so he talked to her after the show. She was really interested in seeing our film, so a DVD was sent to her yesterday. Diane Quaid, who played Marguerite, came all the way from Woods Hole despite a very busy schedule. And after the play, we all went to Pietrasanta for drinks and dinner.