FAIRY TALE
A Gay Adventure
by
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My very short commencement platitudes ended with, “Never take yourself too seriously.” Then I walked down the stage steps to the auditorium aisle while tossing red clown noses to the graduating class, exiting through the lobby, never to return. On that June afternoon, I looked up into the sky and saw my theatre muse fly away.
As I edit this account of my career in trying to spin straw into gold, I am curious of any response. After a particularly stunning lecture I would say to my class, “You are allowed to applaud.”
In the Gulf of Corinth the wake of a motor launch will glow iridescent from disturbing the microscopic organisms that produce phosphorescence. In retrospect, I too am set aglow by my memories that I encountered in this writing.
I do believe in guardian angels, muses, or fairies if you will, they will set up scenarios, or suggest courses of action if one remains open to their direction. Their presence is obvious only in reflection, or after the fact. They can only be seen in your rear view mirror.
My advice to all readers would be: 1.Memorize all the magic spells that you can, 2. Examine your internal compass of personal expectations. And 3. Say a small prayer to the powers that be, before you leap into the abyss.
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About the Book
When he was a child, Jerry Richard Williams’ mother spent hours reading illustrated fairy tales to him and his twin sister. While his mother didn’t believe in fairy tales, she did believe in miracles from Jesus. She also enjoyed stories about Prince Charming and falling in love. So did her little boy. In Fairy Tale, Williams shares his life story, a kind of fairy tale about a career in the theater as a set and costume designer while looking for Prince Charming.
He narrates what it was like growing up gay in the heart of America’s conservative Bible belt of the 1950s. A charming, nostalgic reflection on surviving, Williams chronicles life events in his blue collar, post-war, reality. At every turn, he encounters a host of fairy godmothers and engages with legendary stars such as Merv Griffin, Myrna Loy, Esther Williams, and others.
This memoir tells the magical tale of Williams’ upbringing, schooling, career, looking for love, and overcoming challenges to manage a life well lived.
About the Author
Jerry Richard Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in drama from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in drama at the University of Washington. He is a Professor Emeritus in theater design at the University of Oregon. Williams has designed sets and costumes for more than 240 productions in major universities, professional theater, opera, and ballet companies in the United States. He is a past Fulbright lecturer in Taiwan.
Visit him online at www.byjerrywilliams.com.