ad lib(ing) with Albee

the ad lib ad hoc punk rock post doc part 4

It was the strangest thing I ever saw on stage.

People who were there that night still talk about this.

I dare say that I’ll receive a message or two about this one…

The Duke was anything but John Wayne. With a birdlike frame and darting, eyes, The Duke was not a chill dude. He was about as chill as a young bunny that leapt into a coyote party.

Things were going well at first. The Duke was weaving his way through his role of Jerry.

If you haven’t seen Albe’s The Zoo Story, Jerry does all of the talking.

Except on this night.

On this night, opening night?

Something went awry.

Midway through the script, The Duke’s eyes suddenly became very round and wide. All of the blood drained from his face. He became very still.

Did I mention that he stopped speaking?

The next words out his mouth were not in the script.

I’ll never get it. Damn it. I screwed up.What the hell

The Duke stood up. The Duke left the stage still shouting a neurotic tirade as he left. Eventually, his voice petered off in the distance.

Tr…