My mother-in-law Diana Dale Castle painted this picture of Ethel Merman. MIL used to hang out at the Broadway theatres during rehearsal time. She would research the actors’ roles and role history and sometimes ended up with a multiple image painting like this one. The painting is under glass which caused the lines in the photo. Also, the color is way off. I am wondering why color is so off in my iPhone pix.
Switch: A Magazine of Microfiction, Editor Elizabeth R. George, published the story I wrote when this painting was demanding my attention. It hangs to the left of my desk . . . . This micro story, “Ethel Merman, American Treasure, May Have Expressed Regret,” allowed me to channel my inner Ethel as it’s Ethel talking to an interviewer.
The story is the 3rd one down.
Gritty and well done, Luanne.
Thanks, John. She was a piece of work.
Congrats on the story and cool picture.
I’ve never been a huge Ethel Merman fan.
Hah well she is a lot to take care. Her voice was useful before they miked the stage, but we are all used to trained voices now for musical theater. And she wasn’t very likable in my opinion. But she was a force.
She was.
I LOVE your story. If my dad were still alive, I would send it to him. He’d have gotten a big kick out of it. He used to mention her frequently.
Oh that’s so cool. Thanks, Liz. A minister yet haha.
You’re welcome, Luanne. He had a great appreciation for “characters.”
Your dad sounds like a neat guy.
He was. I miss him every day.
I’m so sorry.
Thank you. I’ve accepted living with the grief.
I don’t know her, Luanne. It seems like she had a big ego! Your writing of her is sensational! Love it. <3
Hahaha, yes, she did!!!! She started on Broadway when they didn’t even mic the actors so her very distinctive untrained belt (yelt, I guess) was important.
I got a real sense of her character rom that short bit you wrote about her, Luanne. Well done.
Oh thanks so much, Anneli! That means a lot!
I was telling the Captain what a challenge it is to convey all that characterization in so few words. It really was so well done. Take a bow!
Aw shucks, ma’am. Thank you very much!
What a blast, Luanne
Hah, thanks, Derrick!!!
Congratulations!
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xo
Wonderful, Luanne – but I am amazed at the person who had never heard of her. Recently I had a similar experience with someone who had never heard of Tina Turner.
I is old. You is old. We is all old.
We is definitely old. The gardener and I were working with a couple of young guys recently and I kept overhearing him say, “I’m old,” over and over so I did take him to task for that. But everything in the world is conspiring to prove that to us!!!
Hahahaha….the gardener and I can’t help ourselves!!
Oh my!
Hah, thanks, Eilene!
Hilarious! I loffed!
Hah, thought you might appreciate it!