Hi,
First before telling you about the delightful Cosby Concert I attended, I have to comment on the articles Becca just posted. I am "amazed" at the pace our Bill keeps going at - he is a man who cares! - both in his professional and personal lives, and more importantly, his being so active in the causes and issues he is concerned and passionate about - particularly education - and "somehow" he finds the time to be actively involved AND to do something about them all. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for both him and all his efforts.
I commented the other day when we ran across his concert schedule on his new website -
http://billcosby.com/
that his performance schedule is almost grueling. Why would he keep to a schedule like that (plus all the graduation ceremonies and charitable functions), and not even including all the social issues he finds the time to be actively involved with ?? .... but I think I
now have the answer, he "loves" to be on stage, and he loves what he is doing!!
The staff at Wolf Trap Park where Bill performed, said that he was on stage way longer than his average performance - he was just having a great time and so were we!!
In contrast to Becca's great socially/politically-relevant articles, our evening with Bill was pure entertainment - the "wonderfulness" of Bill Cosby, the entertainer, on stage for 2 hrs. and 45 minutes - alone (no intro. act) - with no breaks, no intermission ... under those hot lights on a large, empty stage on a warm summer's evening (he said he felt like a chicken in a rotisserie)! He was the warm and funny and "oh so astute" Bill we love so dearly .... It was a totally sold-out performance, for both the seats and the "sitting on the lawn" areas. What I noticed immediately were the mixed ages of the crowd - it was great to see young adults in their twenties all the way up to gray-haired grandmas all thoroughly enjoying his humor and observations. In all honesty, I had expected a far older crowd. But our Bill draws them all in!!
His rapport and bonding with the audience were immediate ... he sat down and started telling you stories .... "wonderful" stories about the shared commonalities in our human condition (of course, as filtered THROUGH his marvelous mind and from the angle of his viewpoint of the world). He is amazingly funny and so very perceptive!!
Bill dresses for comfort these days - crocs, a Wolf Trap t-shirt - but on the back of his chair, prominently displayed is a "Hello Friends" sweatshirt. "Hello Friends" is the Ennis Cosby Foundation in memory of his son promoting educational programs, especially for children with "learning differences." The only things on stage are a chair, a small table, some water, and a box of kleenex. There is also a wastepaper basket, which leads to a very funny story about Mrs. Cosby's edict that it be placed there and the events surrounding it.
Over the next few hours he covered (and regaled us with stories and observations about) wives and husbands and husbands and wives - and husbands vainly trying to assert themselves and their manhood - kids, grandkids, and kids going off to college - his classic and very funny "dentist" routine with a mouthful of Novocain (he said he first wrote this one over 30 years ago) - what happened to the term "secretary" - observations on oatmeal - expensive upscale restaurants and their pretentious and often bizarrely funny menu items - Viagra - the historical reason (according to Bill) as to why wives stand with their hands on their hips - home security systems - his physique then and now (yes, he mentioned that he will be 70 on July 12th) - medications and their side effects, etc., etc. etc. - some train of thought, some old routines, some new - all very, very funny!! ... all wonderful, wonderful stories!!
Some of his best moments were his interactions with the audience - groovin' together! There was a young husband and wife (and her sister and her boyfriend) in the front row. The married couple had escaped their 3 young children for the evening - and Bill took them on (even getting down on all fours) and leaning off the stage. He wouldn't let them go. It was all spontaneous and delightfully funny. He took them on, and put them on, and they held their own (for a little bit), but Bill and his delightful, razor sharp mind triumphed over all.
He was very funny, very warm, and very vibrant .... it's obvious he loves what he is doing, and we love him back for doing it ....
And interestingly, he still sounds much like Scotty --- not Dr. Huxtable, or the Dr. Cosby we hear on serious issues, but more "Scotty." Of course, Culp and Cosby were ad-libbing a goodly amount of time on "I SPY" - so Cosby's own cadence and mannerisms came shining through Scotty - and 40 years hasn't changed it all that much.
Bill has had many successes - as an actor, writer, author, musician, producer, social activist, etc., etc., but his forte was and always will be as a master story-teller. That's his gift! You feel his joy at being on stage as a stand-up (and these days a "sit-down" and often on the floor on all fours) comic. This is Cosby at his best - and that best is pretty amazing!
Since I followed the rules about cameras being strictly prohibited (though there were some flashes coming from the audience), I don't have any photos to share ... BUT here's the next best thing!! This gentleman posted some photos from a Cosby concert in 2006 - go ALL the way down to the bottom of this page - and you'll find Cosby in concert photos AND even a short video clip from his "dentist" routine.
http://www.jimwcoleman.com/photoblog/2006/11/
It was a delightful evening - and a good time was had by all - by the guy up on the stage in the spotlight and the people enjoying it with him.
As always,
Tatia
~~~~
