With the goal in mind of mixing his personal story with
the theatrical history of this time, RON HAS been engaged
for the past four years in conversation with many of the great artists who were either part of this era,
or were sitting in the cheap seats themselves,
watching it unfold just as he did.
Below is a sampling of those with whom he spoke:
actors, writers, directors, composers, lyricists, producers
and designers. all of whom lent their time generously...
and shared a bit of themselves as well.
“Those were the good old days. And I hate to say that, and I will not say it ... but I said it.”
"I was still in the army, but I had some time off before I went into active duty and my father took me on what I called “a grand tour.” We saw Pal Joey—and— ba-boom!—that got me... I loved it! I loved the lights, I loved the warmth of the world on the stage. And I said, 'that’s a nice place to be.'"
“I was in Company for Hal Prince, and was invited to the opening night of Follies and I will never forget when it was over and my companion turned and said to me, ‘I think we’ve just seen the last musical.’ Meaning I don’t know what else you can do… how much more can be done in this form that would expand what this show has achieved? And that was more than forty years ago and I still think it's true."
“Those were the good old days. And I hate to say that, and I will not say it ... but I said it.”