By Eric George Tauber
SAN DIEGO — Once again, the San Diego Shakespeare Society filled our ears with verse at the 17th Annual Celebrity Sonnets held at the Old Globe. Local personality Richard Lederer, clad in a velvet doublet and melon breeches, read an original sonnet in memory of the society’s founder, Alex Sandie, The Scottish-born banker was a dear man and a great lover of Shakespeare who last spring “shuffled off this mortal coil.” Our community is richer for having had him in our midst.
“Your praise shall still find room
Even in the eyes of all posterity.”
(Sonnet 55)
The rest of the evening paid homage to theatre veteran and society co-founder, Jonathan McMurtry. At the age of 81, Jonathan is closing the curtain on a long and storied career. To their colleague, friend and mentor, Sonnets were read and personal stories were shared in sentiments overflowing with affection and admiration. Local theatre icons included David Ellenstein of North Coast Rep, Sam Woodhouse of SD REP and Richard Baird of New Fortune Theatre.
One former student was told that when Jonathan hated something, he would describe it as “awfully good.” And she was relieved not to hear that phrase said of her own work. Another actor talked about how an entire audience sat up at Jonathan’s entrance knowing that they were in good hands.
It would be a shonda not to pass this torch on to our youth. So the Civic Youth Ballet added a splash of color and movement with their interpretation of Sonnet 54. And petite powerhouse Catalina Zelles, with poise and professionalism well beyond her eleven years, sweetly sang Sonnet 18: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day.”
From our television sets came Marion Ross of Happy Days and Dann Florek of Law & Order: SVU. Both had worked with Jonathan and dearly loved him. We got a chuckle when Darryl Woodson, the society’s current president and MC of the evening, introduced Florek of “Law & Order: SUV.”
At the reception, I told Marion Ross that I had grown up watching her on Happy Days. She replied, “Well, I practically raised you. And it looks like you turned out pretty good.” We laughed and clinked glasses. Another man from the Globe staff spoke of Marion’s boundless energy, closing every party. Delightful.
Dann Florek was also very down to earth and approachable. I asked him what brought him to town, assuming he was in production somewhere. Nope. He made the trip from LA just for Jonathan. That’s a true friend.
Our Sages teach that no one is truly gone so long as they are remembered. Alex Sandie and Jonathan McMurtry have been great friends and mentors to fellow thespians who have gone on to great theatrical careers. Such a legacy merits choirs of angels in the heavens. Amen.
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Tauber is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com