Part of Ann’s birthday weekend celebrations included going to see Wicked. Which, of course, is one of my favorite musicals–just as The Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie. Emeralds and rubies and flying monkeys, oh my!
Sharing a birthday with Ann is Marilyn, who is, quite simply, my favorite Broadway star of all! And I’m not just saying that because she’s the only Broadway star that I know (she played Miss Morris in the original Broadway production of The Seven Year Itch with Tom Ewell for 2 years). She is in one word: fabulous. Of course, she would kill me if I revealed her age, so I’m just going to say that I hope one day to be able to look back on my life and have it filled with as much fun and amazement as Marilyn.
I wonder if, while growing up in California, she ever realized what her life would entail? She commented to me just the other day that her decision to become an actress was simply because her cousin wanted to be an actress (please note, Marilyn pointed out, that her cousin wasn’t an actress, she only wanted to be one!). But that is typical Marilyn. She is very much a Carpe Diem lady–and if nothing else, Marilyn has seemingly and very gracefully seized each and every day. As a reminder and a walk down memory lane, her husband Philip bought her a map and pins so that they could pin all the places that they have been (take that Pinterest! real-live pinning!). My guess is that they are going to need more pins. I don’t know anyone more traveled than they are. Name a country. Any country. They have been there, done that, and have amazing stories to tell.
For me, Marilyn is my inspiration, and, as such, my muse. While I have no desire to become an actress, I do have a great desire to see the world…piece by piece, pin by pin, until my map is literally little red dots.
Many more happy birthdays Marilyn and may your adventurous spirit always soar! xoxo
The Epicurious Texan 