Mary Martin in The Sound of Music
On the recommendation of my most recent Apple tutor (!) I downloaded Mick, the unauthorized biography of Mick Jagger. I’d loved Keith Richards’ autobiography Life, but Mick is an unrewarding chronology of a very complex guy. That said, I couldn’t put it down, but wouldn’t suggest any of you pick it up.
Why I’m even mentioning it is that by all rights, Mick Jagger is one of our world’s most successful musicians/entertainers. Audiences throng to see him perform, and he is a master. But. Reading about the personal side of his life is sad and disturbing. It got me thinking about who we look up to and for what reasons.
I remember my mother telling me as a young child about two famous Broadway performers–Mary Martin and Helen Hayes. I’d just seen the original Sound of Music starring Mary Martin and, at nine, I wanted to become her. My mother explained to me, from her perspective, that when you watched the equally famous Helen Hayes you felt in awe of her presence and thrilled that you and she occupied the same space. When you watched Mary Martin perform, you felt good to be alive.
Even at nine I could feel the distinction and know that I’d prefer the impact of Mary Martin. When I read Mick, I thought of this comparison again because his performances are so mind-bogglingly entertaining. But now I know too much. I’d still rather be Mary Martin.
I would think you’d rather be “Jane”…I know I’d rather be “me” even without all the fame and millions of dollars.
me too Jane!! well, only wanted to be Mary Martin in Peter Pan. Actually, i think i wanted to be Peter Pan, not Mary Martin. i must have watched the tv version of the play 20 times, had the “album” and knew the entire score and dialogue backwards, forwards and inside out. Much like my daughter knows Rent, come to think of it…:)
@Barbara
Flatterer!! Thanks for your insight. Me, too.
@Suzen
It’s great to have those ‘healthy’ role models. Thanks for your comment.