Book excerpt: “What Have We Here?” by Billy Dee Williams

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In his new memoir, “What Have We Right here?: Portraits of a Life” (Knopf), veteran actor Billy Dee Williams – whose roles have ranged from romantic results in a swashbuckling “Star Wars” hero – writes about an early expertise on stage.

Learn an excerpt beneath, and do not miss Ben Mankiewicz’s interview with Billy Dee Williams on “CBS Information Sunday Morning” February 25!

“What Have We Right here?” by Billy Dee Williams

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I used to be virtually eight years previous, and I used to be precisely the place the universe wished me. In some way I knew this, I knew it in my bones, and it allowed me to proceed with calm and confidence in a state of affairs that might usually be nerve-racking for a kid.

My mom and I had been in a rehearsal studio in midtown Manhat­tan. The entire subway trip downtown I had assured her that I used to be not nervous. I used to be auditioning for a component within the Broadway musical The Firebrand of Florence, an operetta with music by Kurt Weil, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, guide by Edwin Justus Mayer, and staging by John Murray Anderson. All had been giants of their subject. The manufacturing starred Weil’s spouse, Lotte Lenya.

“You may do okay, Sonny,” my mom stated.

“I do know, Mommy,” I stated, squeezing her hand and answering her reassuring eyes with a smile of my very own. “Don’t fret.”

Producer Max Gordon was in cost. He was my mom’s boss. Initially of World Conflict II, my mom took a job because the elevator operator on the Lyceum Theatre on forty fifth Avenue between Sixth and Sev­enth Avenues. She had studied opera singing in class and dreamed of performing on the Metropolitan Opera Home, however up to now, this was the closest she acquired to the stage.

The Lyceum was one of the vital glamorous venues on Broadway, and my mom liked working there. As soon as her abilities as a stenographer and typist had been found, she was promoted to a secretarial place, which introduced her into contact with Gordon.

In the future Gordon informed her a couple of new Broadway present he was professional­ducing, The Firebrand of Florence. He talked about that he was searching for a cute little boy to play the a part of a web page in his new manufacturing.

My mom promptly talked about me. Deliver him in, he stated. Let’s take a look at him.

For the audition, she dressed me in my good garments, my Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit—bow tie, jacket, shorts, excessive socks, and pol­ished footwear—and took me downtown to the theater. My tryout was in entrance of the director John Murray Anderson, the playwright George S. Kaufman, and the choreographer Catherine Littlefield. All had been lumi­naries of the theater world. I had no concept.

They sat within the entrance row. John informed me to stroll throughout the stage.

I adopted his course completely, strolling slowly however purposefully, whereas searching on the viewers.

“Superb,” John stated.

“Can I do it once more?” I requested.

“All proper.”

I ran again throughout the stage and repeated my steps, this time flashing a smile in the course of my stroll. When John stated that was good and thanked me for coming in, I began to cry. He checked out my mom, questioning what had occurred. She turned towards me, making an attempt to determine why I used to be upset.

“I wish to do it yet another time,” I stated.

Even then, I knew I had a greater absorb me.

Afterward, John requested if I might sing. I shortly stated, “Sure!”

I acquired the job—and ever since I’ve stated I cried my method into present enterprise.

My mom was so proud. A few years later, she wrote me a letter by which she recalled “seeing stardom” in my smile that day. I nonetheless have the letter. What I’ve all the time remembered, although, is the loving hug I acquired from her after the audition. Pleasing my mom meant all the pieces to me, and that by no means modified. The work I’ve carried out over the previous eight a long time acquired extra sophisticated than strolling throughout the stage, however my motivation stayed the identical. Do an excellent job. Make Mommy proud. Entertain the viewers.

      From “What Have We Right here?” © 2024 by Billy Dee Williams. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random Home LLC. All rights reserved. No a part of this excerpt could also be reproduced or reprinted with out permission in writing from the writer.

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“What Have We Right here?” by Billy Dee Williams

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