Mustaches and Misperceptions

"He had an angular face, black hair, a black mustache, and dark eyes, the kind of looks soon to be coveted by an industry that Thomas Edison was just then bringing to life. He 'was eminently engaging and social and he had a keen sense of humor,' his partners wrote. 'In all gatherings he at once became the center of attraction, having a ready command of language and a constant fund of amusing anecdotes and experiences.'"

That's how Erik Larson describes George Ferris in his well-received history of the Columbian Exposition, "The Devil in the White City." It's quite a bit more positive than the vision of a wheel-crazed madmen in a downward spiral that my friends and coworkers have been describing based on their quick and questionable Google-based research.
The basic details are pretty easy to track down. He was born, got married, built the first Ferris Wheel, died, and then a year after death a funeral director refused to hand over his ashes because of unpaid bills. I even found a brief New York Times article showing that barely a year after Ferris died, Margaret Ann was possibly engaged to a self-proclaimed "healer." Those facts are known and documented.

Yet when it comes to bringing the social scientist or the eccentric to life in only a few rehearsals the task is far from easy.
Nevertheless, I'm happy to say that with only our dress rehearsal left to go before the shows, starting Dec. 11 ( A few tickets are still available), I'm pretty comfortable in Ferris' shoes. Some of the details of how big the Wheel was or how many people rode on it continue to escape my mind but in general I think the show should go off quite well. If nothing else, the rest of the case should more than compensate. Steve Seaborn, as Edward Hegeler, gave his first full read-through of "A Visit From St. Nicholas" tonight. It was a bravura performance, full of energy and humor.


Edward Hegeler is coming to get you!

Aside from growing into the character of George Ferris, I'm finally growing into the mustache. While far from perfect facial follicles, my mustache, currently disguised within a beard, has finally begun to get some respect. After weeks of peach fuzz jokes, I'm starting to get some complements. This thing should be in pretty impressive condition by the time the show opens.

The future of mustaches!

The Hegeler family singers!

Directors Tricia and Chad! Dance, Dance, Dance!