“Master Class,” by Terrence McNally

In the summer of 1997, I saw Terrence McNally’s play “Master Class” at the Golden Gate Theatre, starring Faye Dunaway. I remember the evening well for several reasons: I loved the play, and thought Faye was outstanding in her role as opera diva, Maria Callas, in the fictional master class. Also, that night I saw the play, I left my twin two –year-old girls home with a sitter. I remember it felt glamorous to be wearing a clean Ann Taylor blouse without any baby food encrusted on my shoulder, and I stayed wide awake the entire show. This weekend my dad’s beloved Falcon Theatre will be renamed the Garry Marshall Theatre, and the opening show will be “Master Class,” starring Emmy-winner Carolyn Hennesy. It is the perfect play to kick off the inaugural season of this new the theatre. My dad was not only a huge fan of McNally’s, but they also worked together on the film “Frankie and Johnny,” starring Michelle Feiffer and Al Pacino. As they prepared for the film, my dad shared advice with McNally on how to write a screenplay, and McNally shared playwriting guidance with my dad who was writing one at the time. They remained friends for the next 25 years, until my dad’s death last year. “Master Class,” directed by my friend Dimitri Toscas will be running at the Garry Marshall Theatre through October 22. If you can’t make it to the theatre you might enjoy reading the play. Reportedly when McNally was in college he routinely paid $1 for a standing room ticket at the opera because he was such a fan. Clearly, it was money well spent, as he ascended into one of our country’s most talented playwrights.  To purchase this book on Amazon click here.