this monologue ALMOST made you cry? you are made of stone! this monologue, made a 19 year old, small town 6'2 football playing boy from Maine, sign up for modern and ballet THE VERY NEXT DAY, and ;have ONE dream, to play professionally in A Chorus Line. about 5 years and many, many dance classes later, I did just that.
One of the remarkable things about this monologue is how minimal it is. Not just in the matter-of-frank way the story is told but in how Sammy does NOTHING while telling it. He stands there with his hands in his pants pockets and moves only his head, from time to time, and he fills not only the entire stage but practically the entire Shubert Theatre for ten minutes. I still don't know how he does it, and apparently, neither does anyone who has ever followed him into that role.
A big hug and thanks to Mark for posting this. I am so grateful to view this because Sam and I became friends in the latter part of his life. I tried to comfort him as best I could. Despite his pain, one morning I just asked him " hey Sam, how did it feel when you heard your name as the recipient of this tony award? Oh boy, the joy as he relived and described the moment. I confess even though I know he's in a better place, I still cry a little in sadness, but the smiles he continues to put on my are endless. Miss you Sammy!
wow. what a deep and true performance. i was almost in tears, and that's saying a LOT for me as i am not a crier. i can't imagine having to do that eight times a week. what a phenomenal actor!
I think a big part of this being the best cast is that many of the actors are the people that the "characters" are modeled after. I cannot remember who was who, but Sammy might be playing himself right here. (Baayork, care to chime in?)
Amazing monologue. It's interesting, I've never seen it performed like this, and this is the original. I guess most people base their interpretations off the movie version, granted, Paul is one of the good parts of the movie, cause they ruined the whole point of the plot. I like how he talks really fast like "I've just gotta say all this and get it out of my system"
So true...read where it almost ruined Michael Douglas career...that last scene with Cassie singing up in the rafters was absurd. Did NOT follow the original play at all. Saw it twice in N.Y.C., 4 times on tour in my hometown of Buffalo then up in Toronto and once in L.A. Original cast...the best of the best as you know. Hope you get this.
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this monologue ALMOST made you cry?
you are made of stone!
this monologue, made a 19 year old, small town 6'2 football playing boy from Maine, sign up for modern and ballet THE VERY NEXT DAY, and ;have ONE dream, to play professionally in A Chorus Line. about 5 years and many, many dance classes later, I did just that.
Who the hell are you to critique someone ? 😢
And how do you play professionally in a Broadway musical? You don't know what you're saying because it never happened.
One of the remarkable things about this monologue is how minimal it is. Not just in the matter-of-frank way the story is told but in how Sammy does NOTHING while telling it. He stands there with his hands in his pants pockets and moves only his head, from time to time, and he fills not only the entire stage but practically the entire Shubert Theatre for ten minutes. I still don't know how he does it, and apparently, neither does anyone who has ever followed him into that role.
A big hug and thanks to Mark for posting this. I am so grateful to view this because Sam and I became friends in the latter part of his life. I tried to comfort him as best I could. Despite his pain, one morning I just asked him " hey Sam, how did it feel when you heard your name as the recipient of this tony award? Oh boy, the joy as he relived and described the moment. I confess even though I know he's in a better place, I still cry a little in sadness, but the smiles he continues to put on my are endless. Miss you Sammy!
wow. what a deep and true performance. i was almost in tears, and that's saying a LOT for me as i am not a crier. i can't imagine having to do that eight times a week. what a phenomenal actor!
Paul's monologue is the one related by Nicholas Dante at the original tape sessions.
It was filmed with the house cameras pre-Broadway, at the Public Theatre. 1974, I think. They videotaped the show for continuity.
R.I.P. Sammy Williams.
I love this. It is so truthful and from the heart. No wonder he won the Tony that year. INCREDIBLE!!!!
I learned this monologue. I'm doing it as an audition piece. Its terrific.
Ugh...WHY DO I WATCH THIS!?!? crying like a big ol' baby right now. I deserve a Tony award for Hot Mess.
I think a big part of this being the best cast is that many of the actors are the people that the "characters" are modeled after. I cannot remember who was who, but Sammy might be playing himself right here. (Baayork, care to chime in?)
Thank you for the info +-)
Amazing monologue. It's interesting, I've never seen it performed like this, and this is the original. I guess most people base their interpretations off the movie version, granted, Paul is one of the good parts of the movie, cause they ruined the whole point of the plot. I like how he talks really fast like "I've just gotta say all this and get it out of my system"
The movie sucked, a complete disgrace.
OMG, that is a story.
@TheSpencer1960 Agreed, HEARTILY!
The negative and all prints of the movie should be burned. I saw the original cast twice at the Shubert, and the movie is a travesty.
So true...read where it almost ruined Michael Douglas career...that last scene with Cassie singing up in the rafters was absurd. Did NOT follow the original play at all. Saw it twice in N.Y.C., 4 times on tour in my hometown of Buffalo then up in Toronto and once in L.A. Original cast...the best of the best as you know. Hope you get this.
the whole thing? they usually don't allow 9 min monologues for auditions.
I wonder who filmed this and when?
😊
huh. He has a really gay voice. I never knew. I likes it! :P