"We are born astride a grave - WaynesWorldStage.com

een so moved by the time she spent with Michelethat she was going to return to school and becomea teacher for developmentally disabled children.Another old friend from Detroit, CliffordAmmon, was stage-managing a new Off-Broadway show, How to Steal an Election. This isthe musical I referred to at the beginning of thebook when I explained why I gave up my actingcareer. I was not a member of the original cast.As stage manager, Cliff had the authority to castan understudy. He knew this would be perfect forme. Unlike a “standby,” who must attend everyperformance and be ready to go on, anunderstudy is only called to the theatre when acast member is sick or cannot, for any reason,perform. I could earn some money and stay athome with Michele.This musical revue was based oninteresting tidbits of American politicalchicanery. One of my favorites took place duringa Florida congressional race. The night before theelection, one of the candidates called a pressconference to announce that he had irrevocableproof that his opponent had once been a"thespian." It worked. He won the election.I understudied all five males in the show.The show ran for several months without anyonegetting sick. Then the proverbial shit hit the fan.168