And farewell goes out sighing. —The History of Troilus and Cressida, Act III, Scene iii
“Play readings of new works are my favorite events at The Players, because there’s always the chance we may discover the next great play or playwright in the process,” says Player David Paterson.
This is quite an endorsement coming from Paterson, who has written over two-dozen plays, twelve of which have been published by Samuel French. Also an award-winning screenwriter, David’s first film, LOVE LUDLOW, premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews and was subsequently sold to The Sundance Channel, Starz Channel, and Warner Home Video. His second feature, BRIDGE TO TERABITHA, was released by Walt Disney Pictures and went on to become the most successful DVD release of 2007. Patterson is currently in pre-production for two features, PIECES OF THE SKY and THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS.
Paterson became a Player in 1996.
“I met playwright Harding Lemay, a member of the Club. Harding’s wife had helped me on some research for a play I was writing about WWII. He liked my play and invited me to the Club for lunch. I instantly fell in love with the place, and Mr. Lemay suggested I join.” David filled out the application that very afternoon.
“Theater is the life blood of the entertainment industry, whether it is recognized or not by today’s movers and shakers in the industry. Theater has to be celebrated, embraced, and protected. Our Club serves that very purpose,” says Paterson. David would like to see Players attending more Club events, paid programs as well as the many free offerings.
“I like our charming Grill and its colorful cast of regulars, myself included!” There David can frequently be found with friends he brings along from the screenwriting classes he teaches at NYIT, friends from his gig on the Advisory Board of the Big Apple Film Festival, friends from his productions-in-progress, or with friends from The Players. He loves to sit in The Grill, sipping a Coors Light and eating a Cobb Salad, proffering his invaluable views on the arts, NYC, and, of course, The Players. He especially likes Happy Hour--half price on drinks!--and sees the club as a respite from the city, offering a warm welcome to all members.
So when you see David in The Grill, alone (unlikely!) or with a group, bring your drink and pull up a chair. You’ll always be a welcome addition to the colorful cast of regulars.
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I will watch to-night.
Perchance ‘twill walk again.– Hamlet, Act I, Scene ii
People in the Library have told her of hearing footsteps above in the locked Booth Room—only to run upstairs and find it empty. She has twice experienced ‘unsourceable’ intense pockets of cigar smoke on the steps to the Library. She has been one of many members to encounter ‘spirits’ in The Grill.
She is in our Spotlight and she is Elizabeth Jackson, who, as she describes herself, is “sort of a one-person Booth Room subcommittee,” the Players board member charged with oversight of the Booth Room, Edwin Booth’s private suite, kept locked and conserved in the same condition as it was the day he died.
Having studied at the School of Visual Arts with Chuck Close, Elizabeth is now a digital artist, doing computer imaging for advertising. Long interested in 19th century New York City, she one day came across photos of Edwin Booth at a Lincoln Center library sale. Elizabeth was inexplicably drawn to Booth, and these photos were the start of what became her personal collection of Booth material. While researching Edwin Booth, Elizabeth called The Players—which she thought allowed only men as members—and talked to Dan Poole, who gave her a wonderful tour and later put her up for membership in The Club.
That first November Elizabeth was thrilled to attend The Players’ celebration of Booth’s birthday . . . only to come away disappointed. Knowing The Players had held this tribute annually since 1889, she felt that by 1999 the ritual had become little more than a rote obligation. Determined to set things right she has every year since produced a memorable birthday event on November 13, which includes everyone grabbing flashlights and heading to Gramercy Park in a group expedition to place a laurel wreath on Edwin Booth’s statue and ends with a ‘proper party’ at The Club.
A few years ago Elizabeth asked some conservation experts from the Metropolitan Museum and NYU to give her an unofficial appraisal of the Booth Room. Both experts agreed that The Players should take immediate steps to prevent more of the (noticeable) light damage to the textiles. Elizabeth researched museum-quality shades, and Dolores Quinton—a Player and fellow Booth admirer—made a generous contribution to have the shades installed.
You’re apt to meet Elizabeth Jackson in the Grill where she loves to hang out talking to interesting people. (“You never know who you might meet!”) She loves giving group tours of the Booth Room. Just let her know ahead of time and Elizabeth, this most charming, enthusiastic, and informed “docent” will be happy to unlock the room and share her knowledge, allowing you the wonderful opportunity to learn more about The Players and its “almost palpable” history. Perhaps one of The Club’s famous ‘spirits’—even that of Edwin Booth himself—will appear to greet you!
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“Do you know everyone…?”
That’s the question a new member is likely to be asked by our member in the spotlight, Frank Wilkinson. A regular participant at the afternoon game of bridge, Frank makes it his business to be sure new members, and those that just look new, feel at home. He makes a point of introducing everyone to everyone and then telling them to stop interrupting the game.
Gregarious and sweetly cantankerous Frank can dispute at length the wisdom of an opening bid or the minutia of esoteric historical events. He alone is worth the price of admission to an afternoon in the Grill.
“Have you read my book?” is the second question Frank is likely to ask you. The author a few years back of the bestselling novel Bygones, he knows the value of holding up the book. It’s not easy to resist his sales pitch, and not many are disappointed when they track down a copy. As a bonus Frank will autograph it at no additional charge. After working as an editor at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Frank switched sides to become an author and received one the highest advances for a first novel up to that time.
Born in Philadelphia, not inconsequently the setting of his generational saga, Frank moved to New York after graduating from Princeton University to work in book publishing. He has lived in New York ever since. His civic activities include serving as a Democrat District Leader on the Upper East Side.
Frank was introduced to The Players by his best friend Bill Thom nearly twenty years ago. Now he is a Life Member and a Grill Room fixture.
