On Monday, a friend called and asked if I wanted to see a show on Tuesday afternoon with her. It's Mickey Rooney she said. "Mickey Rooney? Isn't he about 100 now?" She laughed and said, "Hey, the tickets are free! It might be pretty good!"
So, on Tuesday afternoon we trekked on over to see Mickey Rooney (and his wife, Jan) "put on a show" for us and about 500 other seniors. He was celebrating his 85th year in show business! He had crawled out onto the stage, where his father was performing in a vaudville act, when he was a baby and he has been "onstage" ever since. We had wonderful seats, in the center section and about 9 rows from the stage. I have to say that at 85, Mickey was still moving (barely, poor soul, BUT still moving!). There were three giant screens that showed a montage of his many Andy Hardy movies with Judy Garland and movies with other stars throughout his life.
He performed the first act by himself with just his trio consisting of piano, bass and drums for musical support and to bounce jokes off. His monologue was pretty much read from the teleprompter but he was funny even when he joked a little bit about his 7 previous marriages! He and Jan have been married for 35 years. He talked about meeting "the love of my life" - she was 26 years old and was just establishing her singing career when they met.
For the second act, Mickey retired backstage and Jan came on and did some wonderful bluesy kinds of songs and then a tribute to Patsy Cline (one of my favorite CW singers). For the last part of the show, Mickey returned to the stage and Mickey and Jan did some quick repartee and some songs like "You say tomato and I say tomawto" which was really quite cute. He even tried a little soft shoe (steady there!)and Jan asked him to play one of his original tunes on the piano, which he did. All in all a good show. While I was sitting there watching, I couldn't help but compare Mickey Rooney and my Dad. They are about the same age. Dad was born in 1920 and Mickey in 1922. My Dad is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's and here is Mickey - STILL PERFORMING! I had to wonder - what's the secret?
9 comments:
Dear Ms. Daisy,
Thank you for your anniversary wishes.
I read your post today on your blog and it made my husband and I laugh out loud.
You are so funny. We really enjoyed it.
Good for Mickey Rooney. He sounds like he has something in common with the energizer bunny.
Thank you for making us laugh.
Melissa
Sunbonnet Cottage
THAT cracked me up because when you mentioned his name....I thought in my head.."isn't he like 100 years old" then you wrote that. HA!
Im glad you all enjoyed yourselves.....that man may be little but he was very cute "back in the day" ...like back in the day when he and Elizabeth Taylor were like 16 and in National Velvet. I never saw the movie...but I have seen clips and the photos of them. HA!
At least he's not sitting around somewhere...he's still working and entertaining.
That's great I say.
How fun! Glad you had a good time...I loved your descriptions of him walking, etc. At least he's still doing what he loves, which is what I HOPE to be doing at that age!
Jillian
PS. I think it's in the genes. Ut oh!
Mickey is an inspiration to us all! I hope I can to a little dance in five years--let alone when I'm his age! Your description of the evening watching the show was delightful--and what great seats you had! I do wish someone could figure out the "secret", as you so aptly put it. I want to be aware that I am dancing and not just dancing.
Ms. Daisy,
I will be so excited to get that Hutch home. I love spending hours just moving things around and varying the look of things.
Have a great day.
Melissa
Sunbonnet Cottage
I would like to be privy to 'the secret' also. Longevity is odd, some people can live and stay active for so long, I just hope I'm in that category!!
Jean dear, I'm sorry your father has Alzheimer's, I know that is difficult for you and your family.
Glad you enjoyed the show.
Blessings to you for a wonderful week.
WOW! You got to see Mickey. That's great. He has always been a favorite of mine. I see from your blog that we are interested in a lot of the same things:Religion, reading, writing, conservative politics and more. Gone With The Wind is one of my favorite movies. Thanks for dropping by yesterday.
Clif, thank you for visiting my blog. I have found so many wonderful, kind and caring people since I first was encouraged by my daughter to start blogging in May of this year. I have been blown away many times by their insight. spirituality and love for others.
Thanks again!
~Jean
Oh, I know you must have really enjoyed the show..wish I could see it, too.
Yes....I am pretty sure the SECRET is....GOOD HEALTH.
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