Meeting Leonard Bernstein

In the late 80s I got the opportunity to work with the Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a production about Leonard Bernstein’s life and work.

It was life changing, challenging, full-on creative work. I was hired to produce video for the backdrop of this theatrical performance about one of the greatest composers of our time. No pressure, actually a lot of pressure.

Everyday for 6 weeks I worked with the director, went to rehearsals, shot interviews with actors and edited pieces of footage from videos that were sent to me of Bernstein, talking and playing the piano. Each video was an integral part of the show, as a moving background and as a video onto itself about his life. As the show developed I realized that this could be the pinnacle of my career if everything turned out well.

One evening we gathered to compare notes because opening night was within a week, our director told the cast that Bernstein would be at the show. I felt elated, scared, excited, but mostly terrified of his response. Opening night arrived and everything was tweaked the nights before at dress and tech. Just as the curtains were going to come up, there was some noise and suddenly Leonard Bernstein appeared from backstage, he walked across the stage, smoking from a cigarette holder, dressed with his white cape around him which seemed to be flowing in the wind, he sat in the front row center and applause hit the room…there was a collective gasp but I felt like mine was the loudest.

The show miraculously went really well. Again applause, we all lined up on the stage for a bow, and Bernstein started to walk onto the stage again, approaching us. He acknowledged us one by one, it was my turn, he looked into my eyes and gave me a kiss on the cheek, that is what I remember, and said “nice job, lots of jump cuts.” It took everything I had to remain planted on the stage because my heart was pounding so hard I wanted to run but I remained calm, and in that moment I knew this was a pinnacle in my life.