On Broadway with Scarlett and the Usher

Jan. 2, 2009 - NYC - Between Scarlett Johansson and Leah (more about her later) it was a special day at the theatre in New York.

It was a perfectly marvelous production of Arthur Miller's classic drama “A View from the Bridge” with Johansson and Liev (“CSI”, “X-Men”) Schreiber. Fabulous work all around! Such a delight to see such professionalism. The beautiful set, the lighting, and most of all the acting. Over the years, I’ve kind of despaired at seeing live theatre because it’s often kind of “stagey”. I usually prefer movies because they’re more realistic and believable. But this was an exception. It was absolutely thrilling. Not a false note from anyone.

I didn’t know that Scarlett Johansson started out on stage when she was 8 years old. Although she’s best known from movies, she’s quite good on Broadway. It did take a little suspension of disbelief to accept her as 17 years old, the age of the character she played. But apart from that, I believed her as Catherine, the niece for whom her Uncle Eddie (Schreiber) has an unhealthy attraction.

At every Broadway theatre, they have these people confirming your seat, handing you a program, telling you to turn off your cell phone and making sure and don’t take any pictures. Ushers, I guess they’re called.

My usher was a delightfully outspoken lady named Leah. As with everybody that I chat with when I travel, she volunteered her life story. Leah, who reminds you a lot of Aunt Bea, has been a professional Broadway usher for 42 years. She’s 68. Unmarried. Born in what was then Yugoslavia but her family had to suddenly leave because they were Jews and the Nazis were about to nab them. (See, I told you! No one escapes my investigatorial inquiry.) My seat was on the aisle so we could exchange wisecracks.

At the intermission, we swapped stories. “You’re cute,” she said.

Hmm. Been a while since anybody told me that.

“Here, take my number,” she said. “We’ll get together for dinner. I live right near the theatre.”

And so we shall.