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Happy birthday, Brian!
(by Michael Dennehy - July 16, 2008)
Kay and I made an unexpected trip to Canada this past week! The occasion was to celebrate my brother Brian’s birthday. It was his 70th! Yikes! I’m not that far behind him – about 18 months.
Brian is the two-time Tony award winner star of Broadway, film and TV. He is spending the summer at the Stratford Festival Ontario, Canada doing a series of plays. With his hectic schedule it is very hard for the whole family to get together. This was a “big one” though so Kay and I hastily made arrangements.
The
Stratford Shakespearean festival began in 1952. The actor/ director Tyrone Guthrie was the first artistic director. Famed actor Alec Guinness spoke the first words in a play at the festival on July 13, 1953. There are four theaters in
Stratford and Brian was playing in three shows: “Hughie”; “Krappes Last Tape” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” And I think I’m busy! I don’t know how he does it.
We got a TripTik from AAA and I did Mapquest on the computer. Both said it was a little more than 500 miles and would take about eight to nine hours. Brain suggested we do it in two days. Ah what does he know? He’s only been up there five or six times whereas I have not! Duh!! We’d leave early on Friday and get up there about dinnertime. We’d spend Saturday and Sunday and come back Monday. The party was set for Sunday evening at a bed and breakfast Brian’s kids had rented for the weekend.
The trip up started out all right. We went up the N.Y. Thruway to Rt. 17 North. Very little traffic on that section of the ride. The
New York countryside up there is beautiful – rolling hills surrounded by small creeks. We stopped once for a short break and then once again for lunch in
Roscoe, N.Y. The problems started to arise as we hit the Customs stop entering . It took about a half-hour waiting in line. Not too bad but after driving six hours and looking at another four to come – ouch!
Once through we drove along passing miles and miles of cornfields, farms and for the most part had the road to ourselves. I love seeing old farmhouses and silos – the weathered buildings, mostly red. At one point we passed through wine country. Every mile it seemed there was a sign, such & such winery. One sign advertised a “Nudist Camp.” I suggested to Kay we go look at the scenery there. She just gave me ‘that look.’ We finally arrived at about 7 p.m. – some 11 hours after we set off. I was a zombie! I called Brian and said we would see him the next day for breakfast.
Brian picked us up the next day. We had breakfast with him, his wife Jen and the two children still living at home, Sarah and Cormac. That began a weekend of laughter; updating each other on what’s going on with our lives and a tour of
Stratford . The town is worth the trip alone.
There are plenty of fine restaurants, Bentleys and Fosters to name just two. The
Avon
River flows through the middle of town and it is filled with ducks and swans who greet you at waterline and expect to be fed corn. They were paddleboats, kayaks and canoes to rent. Kay and I walked round the river enjoying the picturesque B&Bs abridging the river. The town is filled with little shops stocked with everything you can imagine. Young Sarah managed to convince her mom, Jen and Aunt Kay to do a little shopping. During festival season, which goes from April to November, the town is filled with visitors and theatergoers.
I found Canadians very friendly – “Yahh!” They are warm and welcoming, always willing to stop and chat. They seem genuinely interested in where you come from. They all know Brian and describe him as one of their biggest draws.
The birthday celebration took place on Sunday evening at a large three story B&B about a half-hour’s drive from town. Like our motel it stood on the edge of a corn field that seemed to spread out as far as the eye could see with stalks standing shoulder to shoulder ready to be harvested. Brian’s three older daughters had rented it for the weekend and for the party – a catered affair. It was great getting together with our nieces and their husbands. It has been a while. Brian and Jen have six grandchildren. Brian’s agent Susan and several other close friends were also invited.
Family stories were told or re-told, Brian’s daughter Kathy is an actress/screenwriter and put together a slide show with music showing Brian’s life. It had those ‘horrible’ photos of both of us as kids – chunky, round faced, ears sticking out under those $1 haircuts, and those awful long sleeved sweaters! But it was touching – especially seeing our Mom and Dad.
After the show there was the birthday cake. Brian sat with his grandkids as he cut it and pictures were taken. Jen asked me to give the toast, “Aaaargh!” Here I am amidst showbiz people (two of Brian’s daughters, one son-in-law and two other guests are actors). “Why me!” I pleaded. “Because you’ve known him the longest.” “Haven’t I been punished enough?” I should have responded.
I got up there and went into my little act, picking on Brian as he always has with me. Then I got serious and sentimental. Brian is the best brother – not only a star on stage but to all his friends and family. Just recently we have been concerned about a physical problem our daughter Amy has and I asked Brian to put her in touch with a specialist he knows. Three plays ongoing he dropped everything and not only made the call but checked in daily to see how things are coming along. I need say no more – Happy birthday big brother!
P.S. – We took two days to come home! Don’t tell Brian.
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