8. David Duchovny in ‘Break Of Noon’, New York 2010
There’s an event the UK celebrates every November 5th called Bonfire Night. When a man named Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Well in 2010 sparks definitely flew when I went over to New York to see David Duchovny in his play ‘Break Of Noon’!
A brief review (with SPOILERS!)
I thought Neil LaBute’s play ‘The Break of Noon’ was bizarre and funny, yet also disturbing, making you feel rather uneasy at times. All four of the actors were very good, especially the actress Tracee Chimo who played both an irritating chat show host and a hooker. I also thought Amanda Peet played very well alongside David, particularly her second role as Jessie the ex-wife’s cousin, who John Smith had the affair with. It just came across a lot stronger and more believable than her first role as Ginger. David was the only actor, who had the one role, but he had pages and pages of dialogue and a few lengthy monologues to deliver, and was on stage the whole time! I thought he held the whole play together wonderfully, from the nervous man in shock at the beginning to the wild-eyed, almost manic preacher at the end. You found yourself wanting to route for the character but at the same time wanting to hate him! He’d done bad things in the past and seemed to be going around spouting that he had been chosen to make others do good, which I thought was egotistical to say the least! I really wanted to hit him when he was practically forcing the hooker to pray on her knees, and yelling at his ex and the cousin. By the end of the play you realise he could even have been a major cause as to why this gunman went insane and killed the office staff! You could not understand why he got redeemed (if indeed he actually did?) Was he telling the gospel truth or was he in fact lying? In my own opinion I believe the raising off of the ground and vanishing into thin air in the climax was simply a magician’s trick to fool his ‘congregation’. I loved the fact you were never given a complete answer though, and it was left up to the audience to decide.
I spoke to David about it briefly after the play explaining it was an unusual play and I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to believe John had been saved by God…or was just full of shit? His reply was, “exactly – that was the whole idea!”
It was a small but quaint little theatre, and the staff were extremely helpful when it came to my disability. The house manager, Christina, in particular, was such a lovely lady who helped me out of the place before the crowd followed after the curtain call. Although just before I made my way to the exit I gave the cast a couple of British ‘bravo’s’ after some whoops of excitement! I couldn’t have had a better seat either as I was on the front row, with my American friend Tessia, who I had met through the House Of David Duchovny website. We were sat a little off to the left, but David and co. used all the area of the stage to perform, so you could experience the full effect. On the way out of the theatre I saw Neil LaBute and shook his hand whilst telling him I had enjoyed his play very much.
Another little fellow who joined us was the HODD mascot HoDDie bear, Tessia had brought along (on my request), who sat on her knee throughout the entire play! All will become clear later so keep reading.
I thought Neil LaBute’s play ‘The Break of Noon’ was bizarre and funny, yet also disturbing, making you feel rather uneasy at times. All four of the actors were very good, especially the actress Tracee Chimo who played both an irritating chat show host and a hooker. I also thought Amanda Peet played very well alongside David, particularly her second role as Jessie the ex-wife’s cousin, who John Smith had the affair with. It just came across a lot stronger and more believable than her first role as Ginger. David was the only actor, who had the one role, but he had pages and pages of dialogue and a few lengthy monologues to deliver, and was on stage the whole time! I thought he held the whole play together wonderfully, from the nervous man in shock at the beginning to the wild-eyed, almost manic preacher at the end. You found yourself wanting to route for the character but at the same time wanting to hate him! He’d done bad things in the past and seemed to be going around spouting that he had been chosen to make others do good, which I thought was egotistical to say the least! I really wanted to hit him when he was practically forcing the hooker to pray on her knees, and yelling at his ex and the cousin. By the end of the play you realise he could even have been a major cause as to why this gunman went insane and killed the office staff! You could not understand why he got redeemed (if indeed he actually did?) Was he telling the gospel truth or was he in fact lying? In my own opinion I believe the raising off of the ground and vanishing into thin air in the climax was simply a magician’s trick to fool his ‘congregation’. I loved the fact you were never given a complete answer though, and it was left up to the audience to decide.
I spoke to David about it briefly after the play explaining it was an unusual play and I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to believe John had been saved by God…or was just full of shit? His reply was, “exactly – that was the whole idea!”
It was a small but quaint little theatre, and the staff were extremely helpful when it came to my disability. The house manager, Christina, in particular, was such a lovely lady who helped me out of the place before the crowd followed after the curtain call. Although just before I made my way to the exit I gave the cast a couple of British ‘bravo’s’ after some whoops of excitement! I couldn’t have had a better seat either as I was on the front row, with my American friend Tessia, who I had met through the House Of David Duchovny website. We were sat a little off to the left, but David and co. used all the area of the stage to perform, so you could experience the full effect. On the way out of the theatre I saw Neil LaBute and shook his hand whilst telling him I had enjoyed his play very much.
Another little fellow who joined us was the HODD mascot HoDDie bear, Tessia had brought along (on my request), who sat on her knee throughout the entire play! All will become clear later so keep reading.
I didn’t think there were that many people waiting outside the main entrance door for autographs, so was hoping I’d get that opportunity to meet David at last… and I wasn’t disappointed! But before that, Tessia got reacquainted with another Hodder she’d met yesterday. And it was very nice to meet Mel – who was a fellow Brit as well!
Whilst we chatted together, John Earl Jelks made a quick exit and I believe I may have seen Tracee Chimo make a sudden departure as well? Then we noticed that Christina was locking all the doors, which wasn’t a good sign. Needless to say people were looking rather worried including myself. Then when she unlocked the end door and stepped out, I walked over to her, with the intentions of at least giving her one of my gigs I had performed and had recorded on DVD (this time for UNICEF UK – explanations will follow shortly) to pass onto David for me. But luckily she smiled and said not to worry as he was coming out soon, only first he was seeing his family. So it looks like Tea Leoni had been in the audience again. According to Pete, apparently his kids turned up after the performance as well.
We had only been outside for about 10 mins when as if on cue my husband showed up (a little bit tipsy) just in time to take my camera from me, as David literally came through the door seconds later! Talk about great timing, and Pete was able to get some super photos while Tessia and I talked to him. She approached him with bear in hand to explain we were representing the House of David Duchovny for the HoDDie project, which was raising money for UNICEF on his behalf. I didn’t hear her first part of the conversation, so ended up repeating about it being for the HODD site. Oh well, once is never enough right! LOL!
We had only been outside for about 10 mins when as if on cue my husband showed up (a little bit tipsy) just in time to take my camera from me, as David literally came through the door seconds later! Talk about great timing, and Pete was able to get some super photos while Tessia and I talked to him. She approached him with bear in hand to explain we were representing the House of David Duchovny for the HoDDie project, which was raising money for UNICEF on his behalf. I didn’t hear her first part of the conversation, so ended up repeating about it being for the HODD site. Oh well, once is never enough right! LOL!
After the introduction, I mentioned about the UNICEF gig I had done in April. This is the playlist (which also includes my husband auctioning himself off, a raffle and karaoke clips from folks who contributed to the cause!)
Then I handed David the DVD I had made in American format, saying that this was me singing on it and I’d like him to have it. He then smiled and said, “Is this for me as well?” He thanked me then signed my autograph book, which I’d also brought with me. This already had the Lone Gunmen’s signatures and Frank Spotnitz, and I told Dave he was behind him in the book, which made him laugh!
In case you can’t read this, it says ‘Penny – Best – David Duchovny
So after trying to get my CD to him through Frank at the IWTB premiere, it was such a thrill to actually hand it to David himself this time! Hope he enjoys it? I have a feeling my rendition of the ‘Duchovny’ song will have him in stitches! This is the ‘live’ performance of that song with a photo slideshow of meeting David in New York.
I also took the opportunity to mention that we had met online in the past, to which he didn’t confirm or deny, as he had been under a pseudonym. However, I then showed him my X Files body warmer (displaying the words ‘FANFIC CONTEST 2009 – CATEGORY WINNER’) that I was wearing under my leather jacket. I told him I’d won this at the X Files Universe website, for a fanfic of mine that he had read online (and for all I know could still have ‘Lost Within’ on his hard drive?) I received a big smile followed by, “Well, look at you!” Then I explained how I have wanted to thank him all these years, for encouraging me to keep writing. He said that was really great – and I got a hug, with one arm, because as you can see he was still holding HoDDie and my DVD at the time!
After Tessia had handed him the T-shirt with her HODD design, just in case he didn’t receive it in the post (you can never be 100% sure if a celebrity’s agency or management will actually pass on any fans gifts to them?) She then started to hand him her beautiful drawing of his portrait, and I mentioned she was also an artist! He was now rather laden down with these gifts we’d showered on him, so preceded to finally put them down in a bag behind him, including HoDDie who he placed on top. He was joking to us about wondering how he was going to get this entire stuff home on his scooter!
Then Pete stepped forward (out of the blue) as he’d misunderstood about Tessia’s drawing, thinking she wanted it autographing? So he placed his hands out on the doors, bent over and offered his back to David, who immediately looked at me and said, “I-I don’t know this guy?” My reply was, “S’okay Dave, I’ve been married to him for over 7 and a half years. You are perfectly safe!” Pete had completely forgotten we were in a gay district, so for all we knew David might have thought this drunken gay man had just approached him off the street! LOL! But after his abrupt introduction to my husband, he began to warm to him, and even signed one of his NY caps! (He’d bought several more in a store in Manhattan that day.)
NB: I did think Pete’s photo of him looking at Tessia’s drawing came next? But, not according to my camera?
Then Pete stepped forward (out of the blue) as he’d misunderstood about Tessia’s drawing, thinking she wanted it autographing? So he placed his hands out on the doors, bent over and offered his back to David, who immediately looked at me and said, “I-I don’t know this guy?” My reply was, “S’okay Dave, I’ve been married to him for over 7 and a half years. You are perfectly safe!” Pete had completely forgotten we were in a gay district, so for all we knew David might have thought this drunken gay man had just approached him off the street! LOL! But after his abrupt introduction to my husband, he began to warm to him, and even signed one of his NY caps! (He’d bought several more in a store in Manhattan that day.)
NB: I did think Pete’s photo of him looking at Tessia’s drawing came next? But, not according to my camera?
Tessia then handed the drawing back to him, and Dave had a really good look at it this time, after Pete’s interruption! LOL! I could tell he was pretty impressed by her artwork!
He then gave her his autograph….
He then gave her his autograph….
At some point during our meeting David turned around to face some other fans and gave them his undivided attention. His sister Laurie also made an appearance and received a warm hug from him. Then when he turned back to face the doors he noticed Tessia and I were still there! Our reason was HoDDie, which we realised he’d thought he could also take home with him. He was pretty taken with the little guy and even said, “Aw, can’t I keep him?” Both Tessia and I were so close to saying, ‘Oh, go on then’, but we didn’t. I ended up saying, “Sorry, you can’t have him, he has to keep travelling around the world making money for UNICEF.” You should have seen the disappointed look on his face! Aw! However, I am happy to report that a few years later after the project had run it’s course and lots of money had been made for the charity (over £2000). A member of the HODD staff did find it in her heart to get him to David. I had asked them if they could, so even though it took a while, I was happy to hear he did finally receive the little guy. As David clearly loved HoDDie bear and hadn’t wanted to hand him back to me!
Pete believes in treating everyone as equal and as I expected, treated David in the same fashion. I think this made him feel at ease and they ended up having a bit of a laugh. He asked him if he was running in the New York marathon on Sunday? To which Dave replied, nope, as he had shows to do all weekend. My husband also explained that John Smith’s (the character David played) is his favourite brand of beer back in the UK, and asked Dave if he wanted to join us for a drink? He thanked him for the invitation but said he was sorry but had to get home. Pete was also joking around claiming he was bit of a blood thirst quencher when it came to movies, and he had ideas for one involving power tools he was going to call ‘House of Dewalt’! At the time he thought of the idea none of us knew David was going to write a movie called ‘House Of D’! Pete actually said to him in NYC, ‘You stole my title!’ Well, David was laughing so much and apologised, then stated that his movie didn’t involve power tools! LOL!
David then proceeded to put on a couple of warm jackets, as it was quite a chilly evening. This is one I took of him, and I just love that look on his face!
Pete believes in treating everyone as equal and as I expected, treated David in the same fashion. I think this made him feel at ease and they ended up having a bit of a laugh. He asked him if he was running in the New York marathon on Sunday? To which Dave replied, nope, as he had shows to do all weekend. My husband also explained that John Smith’s (the character David played) is his favourite brand of beer back in the UK, and asked Dave if he wanted to join us for a drink? He thanked him for the invitation but said he was sorry but had to get home. Pete was also joking around claiming he was bit of a blood thirst quencher when it came to movies, and he had ideas for one involving power tools he was going to call ‘House of Dewalt’! At the time he thought of the idea none of us knew David was going to write a movie called ‘House Of D’! Pete actually said to him in NYC, ‘You stole my title!’ Well, David was laughing so much and apologised, then stated that his movie didn’t involve power tools! LOL!
David then proceeded to put on a couple of warm jackets, as it was quite a chilly evening. This is one I took of him, and I just love that look on his face!
He was just about to walk off when Pete asked if he wouldn’t mind having a picture with ‘two lovely ladies’? Dave replied, “Sure, of course not.” And as he put his arms around Tessia and myself for another picture, I jokingly said, “Here we go again!” LOL! Unfortunately Pete shook the camera and managed to knock off the top of David’s head! We also looked like we were being beamed up to a spaceship! So I spent a while trying to photo shop it the best way I could! Love that goofy expression on David’s face! LOL!
After he had taken the photo, Pete came over and slapped David on the back saying he was “alright” and “not a bad lad!” I’m not quite sure if David understood the northern UK lingo? LOL! But Pete then added, “You’re a good lad!” to which Dave smiled and replied, “Oh, you don’t know me.” Pete then followed with, “Well you don’t know me either!” Touché! LOL! He then shook his hand, as did I, as we said our goodbyes then David left.
What an experience we’d all had that evening! I think both Tessia and myself were on a major high!
What an experience we’d all had that evening! I think both Tessia and myself were on a major high!
I ended up inviting Mel to join us and we all went to this gay bar that Pete had been raving about, which was further up the street. We had a few drinks, and met some lovely lesbian women who had been playing ‘beer pong’ and had given my husband a ping pong ball as a keepsake (which our cat now has in his toy collection!)
|
After adding Mel to my Facebook, we said our goodbyes and she headed back to her hotel nearby. Pete then introduced us to the proprietors (least I think that’s who they were?) Big Bear and Jim. Who ended up signing my autograph book as well! (When I got back to the hotel I realised my pen had gone. So even though David was kind enough to give it me back, Bear ended up stealing it! LOL!)
|
Realising it was past midnight we said goodbye to the guys (and after asking directions again as we’d forgotten where the subway entrance was!) started walking. Pete had Tessia on one arm and me on the other and since we couldn’t find a karaoke bar that night, we ended up singing in the street. I think we managed a quick burst of ‘Show Me The Way To Go Home’, ‘My Ole Man’s A Dustman’ and ‘New York, New York’! Folk were finding it hilarious and I exclaimed what a great city this was! Then Pete realised he’d forgotten his jacket so while he went back for it, Tessia and I found ourselves on a street corner and a friendly guy expressed his interest (innocent I might add) with a few flattering words! When we got to the station, first of all the elevator had broken down which meant I had to use the steps, and then we had a bit of a dilemma when the train doors almost closed on Pete (but it turned out we were on the wrong one anyway!) We had to leave Tessia on the platform in rather a hurry (with my stuff still in her bag, which she eventually posted back to me!)
After having to go back to Christopher St again, we finally got the correct trains to Grand Central Station. Unfortunately we had just missed the Express Coach, so had to wait a further 20 mins for the next one. During that time, we popped into a Deli and the guy serving us thought Pete was UK actor Robert Carlyle! (He has been mistaken for him in the past, a few times! LOL!) So Pete signed his cap, only spelt the surname wrong – Carlisle. So if the guy does try to flog it on Ebay, he’ll realise his mistake! LOL! This guy also was so wrapped up in the moment that he waved us goodbye without realising we hadn’t paid for a tuna panini! I presumed Pete had paid but he thought I had, as I had my purse out. LOL!
Then when the coach arrived we thought nothing else could go wrong? Pete had shown his return ticket to the driver, but I couldn’t find mine. Then when we pulled in at the next stop, a lady conductor got on asking for the tickets. Luckily I had discovered it in the depths of my bag, but Pete couldn’t find his. He wasn’t thrilled as this lady said he would have to pay another $16.00. After holding the bus up for about 10 mins, he finally found it, after expressing that she could get the NYPD here for all he cared, but he wasn’t paying any extra! It was freezing on the coach all the way back and we didn’t get back to the hotel till about 4am. Having had to transfer to another bus, (because the Air Train wasn’t running at night), to the pick-up point where the hotel shuttle bus picked us up at the airport.
After having to go back to Christopher St again, we finally got the correct trains to Grand Central Station. Unfortunately we had just missed the Express Coach, so had to wait a further 20 mins for the next one. During that time, we popped into a Deli and the guy serving us thought Pete was UK actor Robert Carlyle! (He has been mistaken for him in the past, a few times! LOL!) So Pete signed his cap, only spelt the surname wrong – Carlisle. So if the guy does try to flog it on Ebay, he’ll realise his mistake! LOL! This guy also was so wrapped up in the moment that he waved us goodbye without realising we hadn’t paid for a tuna panini! I presumed Pete had paid but he thought I had, as I had my purse out. LOL!
Then when the coach arrived we thought nothing else could go wrong? Pete had shown his return ticket to the driver, but I couldn’t find mine. Then when we pulled in at the next stop, a lady conductor got on asking for the tickets. Luckily I had discovered it in the depths of my bag, but Pete couldn’t find his. He wasn’t thrilled as this lady said he would have to pay another $16.00. After holding the bus up for about 10 mins, he finally found it, after expressing that she could get the NYPD here for all he cared, but he wasn’t paying any extra! It was freezing on the coach all the way back and we didn’t get back to the hotel till about 4am. Having had to transfer to another bus, (because the Air Train wasn’t running at night), to the pick-up point where the hotel shuttle bus picked us up at the airport.
Pete took this out of the coach window – looks like ghosts appearing in Times Square! LOL!