A Word or Two - Christopher Plummer

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Last Sunday I saw Christopher Plummer's one man show "A Word or Two" at the Ahmanson Theater in LA.  If you don't know, I'm a big fan of The Sound of Music - obviously that is when I first became a fan of his (like almost everyone in the world) and while I haven't seen as much of his work over the years as I would like - what I have seen or heard him in I really enjoyed.  Like Murder by Decree (where he played Sherlock Holmes) and of course Pixar's UP.  And I realize he's in one of the Star Trek movies!  Can't wait till it's time to watch that one!

But when I was a teenager there was one summer I practically watched The Sound of Music every day.  Not the whole thing every day - mostly my favorite parts.  This was on VHS so what a drag it was to fast forward and rewind to those parts!  (Right guys?! Remember?)  But I just loved the story, the music and Captain Von Trapp so it was incredible to see Christopher Plummer talk to us for an hour and a half.


His show is something that is uniquely appealing to me and appropriate to this blog because it's about words and how language and the great works of fiction have impacted his life since he was a child when his family would sit around after dinner and read to each other.  In his show Christopher Plummer intersperses commentary on his life with quotes and snippets from stories and poems that have influenced him.  With Lewis Carroll, Nabokov, Shakespeare, Kipling, Oscar Wilde, and more - even a very moving, romantic passage from the Bible that was not religious (which was his point in that the Bible is full of rich storytelling regardless of your religious beliefs).

The staging was simple - with a leaning tower/whirlwind of books that contained props, a desk, a lectern and chairs.  There was a birch tree and a round window which each played a part in the story he was telling.  I didn't know what to expect from this show really, but I came away with a greater appreciation for how much great literature can enrich your life.  I really need to read more of the Classics! There's a sense I got from his show that books can help you through anything which is an idea I believe in.  His show progresses from his childhood through his life - touching on love, certain experiences, and in the end death.  It was the ending that I found really emotional.  His commentary that death is scary but maybe there is a lightning before death like Hamlet says or "to die will be an awfully big adventure" like Peter Pan says was very moving to me.  But the show is full of light moments - when he pokes fun at himself and recites passages in a silly voice or flippant air.  The show was so rich with context and meaning, and I was riveted from beginning to end.  This was a wonderful experience to share with such an accomplished actor!


After the show (which runs til February 9th in case you are in the area and have an opportunity to see it!) I headed to the stage door.  Even though I was pretty sure Christopher Plummer would not come out at the to sign autographs... but why not just go and see?  After waiting a bit with a small group, the security guard told us that although Plummer would not come out to sign, if we put post-its with our name on our items, he would take them in to get signed.  Cue embarrassing happy dance!  It was much more than I could have hoped for, and I was glad to cap off a wonderful performance with such a lovely keepsake!