You want to know the great thing about Provincetown, beyond its beauty, offseason serenity, sunsets and creativity ... the people. You have it all here and all have managed to create a great community and sustain the beauty of this wonderous place.
This past week I worked out of Frappo 66 (a great boutique eat in and chill out establishment on Commercial Street). Every morning Ken, our local singer and town crier would come in and wish me a good morning. Our conversations are fast and fun, we talk musicals, theater, actors and politics. Ken was a door man on Broadway for years, he has seen all the classic musicals and plays there are to be seen. He has held the door, smoked cigarettes, lent an ear to all of Broadway's greats, Angela Lansbury, Patti LaPone, Liza, Lauren Bacall, the list could go on. We are a buzz because the Tony Awards are on this Sunday, we are on a Patti Lapone watch, we want to see her win the Tony for Gypsy - she's gotta' win. Around our buzz Ken told me another great Broadway story, he has many, each uphold the glamour of the old Broadway I would have liked to have known. I hope I do Kenny's story justice, if I don't I will have him tell you all himself ...
Kenny was the door man for Patti Lapone as she appeared on Broadway in the role of Gypsy (she play Gypsy during the time of this story now she plays the role of the mother). Every night Kenny was there to greet her, help her if needed it, lend an ear if needed, sneak a cigarette with her in the alley after the tird act, and to make sure at the end of the night she exited the theater ok and every night a! This one night many famous guest were coming in to see Ms. Lapone, her list included Al Pacino, Lauren Bacall, Jason Priestly, Goldie Hawn, etc... Kenny let them in as the arrived, Ms. Lapone's dressing room was full! As Ken rested in his sit the door flew open with a gust of wind and a small little body tried to hold the door as she blew into the hallway... before Kenny stood a wind blown Goldie Hawn.
Kenny: "Well, well look what the wind blew in!"
*Goldie's famous giggle.*
Kenny informed Ms. Hawn that Ms. Lapone's room is filled to the gills and would she like to wait with him till some room cleared. She agreed and sat and chat they did.
As the night went on Ms. Hawn finally made into Ms. Lapone's dressing room and there they stayed until Kenny heard the clicks of their heels come down the steps. Up stood Kenny to wish them a goodnight...
Ms. Lapone: "Kenny?"
Kenny: "Yessssss?"
Ms. Lapone: "Where your ears ringing?"
Kenny: "No. Why would my ears ring?"
Ms. Lapone: "Goldie and I were talking about you..."
Kenny: "No shit? Ms. Lapone and Ms. Hawn talking about Kenny Flanagan from Boston, I now know I have lived!"
*Ms Lapone and Ms. Hawn laugh and exit the theater.*
*Kenny's heart starts to pound.*
Kenny (to himself): "Shit! What did they say?!"
*Ken turns and whips open the door and runs out to the side walk.*
Kenny (yells): "PATTY! PATTY!"
*Ms. Lapone and Ms. Hawn turn to Kenny.*
Kenny: "WHAT DID YOU TALK ABOUT!"
Ms. Lapone: "WE TALKED ABOUT HOW YOU ARE NOT YOUR AVERAGE DOORMAN!"
*Off Ms. Lapone and Ms. Hawn walked into the New York night.*
*Kenny turned into the alley with a grin from ear to ear.*
Great people and great stories live here in Provincetown.
