by Joel Grey
Jennifer and me at the Tony Awards, 2015.
“Wonderful” Idina Menzel and me in Wicked, 2003.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There have been so many people on and at my side for as long as I can remember—of course, most dearly, my dad, mom, my daughter Jennifer, her husband Clark Gregg, granddaughter Stella, my son James, brother Ron, his wonderful late wife Maddie, my “cuzzin” Lee, Jo Wilder, and my godmother Jeanne Schneider.
I’ve had a long and lucky career, and I want to acknowledge all the creative people it’s been such an honor to work with: the playwrights; composers and lyricists; directors; choreographers; set, costume, and lighting designers; producers—and all the brave and gifted actors I got to share so many stages with.
Thanks to David Kuhn and Becky Sweren for taking my book proposal (thank you, Emily Loose) to Colin Dickerman, who was an excellent, smart, and patient guide.
Thanks to the fine Rebecca Paley, who was kind enough to join me in the writing and kept me on track, with my eye on the long view. Also at Flatiron Books, Publisher Bob Miller, Publicity Director Marlena Bittner, and Associate Editor James Melia, for his charming persistence! And thank you to Michelle McMillian for designing such a beautiful book.
I must call out on a personal level my longtime agent and most excellent friend, Gary Gersh.
Thanks, too, to my PR posse: Rick Miramontez, Molly Barnett, and Andy Snyder. And my private and personal posse: Nellie Johnson, Heather Girardi, Steve Chazaro, Steven Ferezy, and certainly not least, a slew of loving pals—lucky for me, too many to possibly mention here.
PHOTOGRAPHIC AND ILLUSTRATIVE CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHIC INSERT
Cabaret (1966) © Friedman-Abeles, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
George M! (1969) © Friedman-Abeles, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
The Muppet Show (1976) © The Jim Henson Company
With Rock Hudson in Rome (1961) © Leo Fuchs
With James Garner on the set of Maverick (1959) © Warner Bros. Television
With the cast of The Normal Heart (2010) © Bruce Glikas
With Jennifer Grey at the Tony Awards (2015) © Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
With Idina Menzel in Wicked (2003) © Joan Marcus
CHAPTER-OPENING IMAGES
Chapter 11: courtesy of Lord Snowdon
Epilogue: courtesy of William Obrano
THROUGHOUT
“Joel Grey in Cabaret” by Al Hirschfeld © Al Hirschfeld Foundation
All other photos courtesy of Joel Grey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joel Grey is a Tony, Golden Globe, and Oscar–winning actor and director. In his seven decades in entertainment, Joel has acted in more than a dozen Broadway productions, in over twenty films, and has made countless television appearances. Along with his work on the stage and screen, he is a renowned photographer. He lives in New York City. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Author’s Note
Dedication
Prologue
Photo: “You’re just like me,” she would say.
Chapter 1
Photo: My first leading role …
Chapter 2
Photo: Me … in the high school production of Good News
Chapter 3
Photo: I didn’t want the audience to think I got the job …
Chapter 4
Photo: My first 8 x 10 glossy …
Chapter 5
Photo: “… a pint-sized newcomer named Joel Grey.”
Chapter 6
Photo: The woman is a beauty, I thought.
Chapter 7
Photo: “… our little girl—Jennifer—was in my arms.”
Chapter 8
Photo: “There’s a part I think you’ll be just swell for.”
Chapter 9
Photo: This is what I had dreamt about …
Chapter 10
Photo: So I accepted the role of George M. Cohan …
Chapter 11
Photo: Don’t let anybody tell you …
Chapter 12
Photo: “This time will be different,” Liza said …
Chapter 13
Photo: “These are not invisible men.”
Chapter 14
Photo:… I realized that passion of any kind is gold.
Chapter 15
Photo: That is the power of a great work of theater …
Coda
Photo insert
Acknowledgments
Credits
About the Author
Copyright
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Copyright © 2016 by Joel Grey. All rights reserved. For information, address Flatiron Books, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.FlatironBooks.com
The Library of Congress cataloging-in-publication data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-05723-5 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-250-05724-2 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781250057242
Cover design by Karen Horton
Cover photograph by Friedman-Abeles © The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
First Edition: February 2016