So sorry to see James Hayden's obit, a day after I saw that his best friend in the theater department, Gage Mace, has signed up for the reunion. Got to know him when we were both cast in "The Tempest", James as The King, me as the nobleman Sebastian. Happy that our paths crossed some 40 years later when he was part of a showcase directed by another BHHS alum, Scott Columby. That night, James performed a monologue from Hat Full of Rain, the 50's melodrama about drug addiction, that seemed incongruous for a rotund 60's something, But with Scott's intensely temperate direction, James was captivating.
James was also a major Dodgers fan, and I am glad I had the chance to invite him to come to a game with me back when we still had season tickets after becoming friends on fb. . I truly hope he lived long enough to see our team win The World Series this year after a 32-year drought. Peace, my liege.
Chuck, I really appreciate your reflections on Jim, and your description of the two of us as best friends is exactly how I think of him, too. How lucky you were to see him relatively recently, in full performance mode. I'm sorry to say I can't remember when it was I last saw Jim, but probably in the mid 80's or so. I did speak to him on the phone about 15 years ago and am happy now that I told him in that conversation that I loved him.
Jim,I am dialing you in now and hope you can take a moment from your afterlife to let you know how much it means to me that we had such good times together. You were the first person I connected with when I started my freshman year at Beverly. We were so much on the same wavelength in our sense of humor, on a level of wackiness I never would have expected to find in someone else in this life or any other, that I was left truly astonished. Our mutual love of film and interest in acting was another bond, which led us toward making Super 8 films together, along with Mike Schweitzer, and brought us together on stage in what now are the most memorable episodes of my teen years. You were THE best Oliver Hardy! Chuck McCann, John C. Reilly, et al, could have taken lessons from you. Your good heart, your gentle spirit will be missed.
We were friends on Facebook and I don't really do much social media, so it had been years since we communicated there. However, in a recent search I did there was no page for you, you were not there at all, and I got a sinking feeling about it. So, it was confirmed today by email that you are no longer with us and I am feeling pretty sad about that but grateful that we like spirits got to meet in this life.
One time you really came through for me was nearly fifty years ago now, when you and your Mom let me stay with you for about a month before I went into the Navy. I really had nowhere else to go and you were so generous in your hospitality and friendship that I will never forget it. I'll miss you lots and keep your spirit with me, it is a great one indeed.
J. Rorey Hayden -- such a blast to be on stage with! He was J.B. Biggley in How to Succeed and my husband Mr. Antrobus in The Skin of Our Teeth, in the Little Theatre for Summer Drama Festival 50 years ago. Oh we had such laughs together. I could always trust him onstage to jump in and improvise when we needed to. I remember one performance of Skin of Our Teeth when our son, Larry Carpenter playing Cain, fell asleep onstage during Act I--we were exhausted from long tech rehearsals and the usual insanity of getting a show up. I fed Larry his cue...crickets...I said it again, a little louder and ....crickets. Then Jim and I heard the snoring. And we covered. Live theatre with Jim onstage was a joy! Precious memories of a dear, talented, funny friend with a generous spirit and easy laugh. The stage is dimmer without you, Jim. With love, Sally.
Charles Rosin (Rosin)
So sorry to see James Hayden's obit, a day after I saw that his best friend in the theater department, Gage Mace, has signed up for the reunion. Got to know him when we were both cast in "The Tempest", James as The King, me as the nobleman Sebastian. Happy that our paths crossed some 40 years later when he was part of a showcase directed by another BHHS alum, Scott Columby. That night, James performed a monologue from Hat Full of Rain, the 50's melodrama about drug addiction, that seemed incongruous for a rotund 60's something, But with Scott's intensely temperate direction, James was captivating.
James was also a major Dodgers fan, and I am glad I had the chance to invite him to come to a game with me back when we still had season tickets after becoming friends on fb. . I truly hope he lived long enough to see our team win The World Series this year after a 32-year drought. Peace, my liege.
Gage Mace
Chuck, I really appreciate your reflections on Jim, and your description of the two of us as best friends is exactly how I think of him, too. How lucky you were to see him relatively recently, in full performance mode. I'm sorry to say I can't remember when it was I last saw Jim, but probably in the mid 80's or so. I did speak to him on the phone about 15 years ago and am happy now that I told him in that conversation that I loved him.
Jim,I am dialing you in now and hope you can take a moment from your afterlife to let you know how much it means to me that we had such good times together. You were the first person I connected with when I started my freshman year at Beverly. We were so much on the same wavelength in our sense of humor, on a level of wackiness I never would have expected to find in someone else in this life or any other, that I was left truly astonished. Our mutual love of film and interest in acting was another bond, which led us toward making Super 8 films together, along with Mike Schweitzer, and brought us together on stage in what now are the most memorable episodes of my teen years. You were THE best Oliver Hardy! Chuck McCann, John C. Reilly, et al, could have taken lessons from you. Your good heart, your gentle spirit will be missed.
We were friends on Facebook and I don't really do much social media, so it had been years since we communicated there. However, in a recent search I did there was no page for you, you were not there at all, and I got a sinking feeling about it. So, it was confirmed today by email that you are no longer with us and I am feeling pretty sad about that but grateful that we like spirits got to meet in this life.
One time you really came through for me was nearly fifty years ago now, when you and your Mom let me stay with you for about a month before I went into the Navy. I really had nowhere else to go and you were so generous in your hospitality and friendship that I will never forget it. I'll miss you lots and keep your spirit with me, it is a great one indeed.
Love, your old pal--Gage
Sally Russell
J. Rorey Hayden -- such a blast to be on stage with! He was J.B. Biggley in How to Succeed and my husband Mr. Antrobus in The Skin of Our Teeth, in the Little Theatre for Summer Drama Festival 50 years ago. Oh we had such laughs together. I could always trust him onstage to jump in and improvise when we needed to. I remember one performance of Skin of Our Teeth when our son, Larry Carpenter playing Cain, fell asleep onstage during Act I--we were exhausted from long tech rehearsals and the usual insanity of getting a show up. I fed Larry his cue...crickets...I said it again, a little louder and ....crickets. Then Jim and I heard the snoring. And we covered. Live theatre with Jim onstage was a joy! Precious memories of a dear, talented, funny friend with a generous spirit and easy laugh. The stage is dimmer without you, Jim. With love, Sally.