Much has happened since I last wrote… to start, Rich Rizzo, an icon that was lost yet forever loving and caring crossed over, I had been out of his life for decades due to the pain of witnessing his poor choices, yet in the end we were able to sing and share our love for him before he left. Here is to believing that his light is restarted and he continues onto anew with creative love all around him.
Recently, Franco Dragon, a true legend in this entertainment live theatre world left us… feeling lead to write about moments I shared with him as an artist, yet feeling the need to keep it somewhat private, I am using this forum to share. I have been in this game my entire life, I had the chance 2x to work with him until we met this past year. The almost got it girl was my path with Cirque until landing Zumanity, once with Mystere, as the last remaining 2 at their first LV audition. Made it to the end with A New Day, only to be singularly called out ok thank you for coming… and then there was the first audition for Zumanity, again made it to the end. I would get redemption for that one as a Character fifteen years later. Back to Franco as he was involved with Mystere and A New Day. He we are at decades later at Amystika, my perseverance and proposals landed me as an artist in this project. Franco was our Director, when he appeared we all gave our ultimate attention and respect as his energy quietly demanded that of us. One day we had our secret treasure day, meaning presenting to him a piece of us that was our own creative signature. I chose to bring my character Sallie to play with a bit of magic, a French song etc, sort of a greeting card to him sent with love. Much to my surprise he accepted it, even took my hand to the costume rack to dress me more in his vision. A moment I will forever treasure for it was just me and him. He graced me with his childlike pure energy as you could seem him let down his directive title and just be a creative soul excited to play. He continued to direct me in this skit and words of you are enough, keep it simple, take your time and share yourself with the audience will forever be sketched in my being as an artist. In the months to come, he would call me Mary, criticizing me at times yet I felt blessed to have his attention. As an artist when he did praise you, you felt like a child getting approval from a parent. I was raised this way as a dancer from former coaches so I understood this old school tough love, some did not… in the creative months to follow he encouraged us to shake the stage, present who we are and allowed us to continue to propose ideas for this creation, I accepted this playful creative game that he allowed us to play in, it was tiring, confusing and frustrating yet I simply loved every moment of it…he was a true Icon and I finally got my redemption and was able to work with him, a true blessing, a moment forever in my grateful heart. To this I say thank you Franco Dragone for all of it, you lived, you created and there are thousands who are enriched for having known you, your energy will live on in your art and in the artist. Shine on, love Mary (as your accent pronounced my name in that way). I am sure you are ok and somewhere you are at play, Thank you Maestro.
