Joyce Porter (inset, far right) and posing beneath the Tony Award logo (above)
On June 7 of this year, I did something so unique you probably don’t know anyone else who has ever done it. I appeared on stage at the Tony Awards! If you had told me two years ago that was going to happen I would have laughed in your face. I couldn’t have imagined any way I could even attend the awards, let alone appear onstage.
While I do act, even if I could I have no interest in acting in New York. How I got on stage had nothing to do with acting. I was a low level co-producer of Death of a Salesman, the most successful play of this year.
How I got involved was a happy accident that I followed up on. One of few incidents where I was in just the right place at the right time, for one moment, and it changed my life. I sent my investment and went out for the play’s opening. I was totally wowed by how fabulous the production was and felt certain it would be up for several Tonys.
I immediately made travel plans, even before it was announced that it was nominated for nine! I spent a lot of time choosing my dress, accessories, etc. I wanted to look my absolute best. I kept thinking something would go wrong, as such an incredible thing couldn’t actually happen.
I have to thank several people for making it happen for me. First, my friend who connected me to the production. Also the Oak Park Illinois Film Festival team, who made sure that our booth at A Day in Our Village would go on without me. They texted me a photo when it was set up, so I wouldn’t have to worry.
Then on the night of the ceremony, there were others who helped, by delivering my tickets to my hotel, offering to switch seats with me so I would be close to the aisle when the Best Revival Award was announced, and the gentleman behind me who offered to escort me for the run up to the stage.
I worried about tripping on my long dress, but I actually made it up to the stage safely and remembered not to stand behind anyone tall.
I also want to thank so many friends who sent me screenshots from the broadcast. I attended the after-party and was disappointed not to see any celebrities. I never did get to meet the cast. I won’t be getting an actual Tony, but will order a reproduction in the mail as a souvenir. It was still wonderful.
I asked my contact if I could say that I had won a Tony and he said “Why not?” It just goes to show, as I said in my book, Mastering Senior Life: Thriving and Surviving, that your life doesn’t have to wind down when you are a senior. You should keep looking for your next adventure, because you never know what will happen.
Joyce Porter is a longtime Oak Park resident and patron of the arts.