MemoryThon part 1
Jay Morse Dubbed it “A Memorython”
It started when I sent the following email to a few dozen New Playwrights’ Theatre alum whose email addresses I had on hand:
*
From: HBagdasian@aol.com Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:02 am
Subject: the 70's in Dupont Circle - your favorite place was ...?
Okay people ... am working on a piece about our Bohemian life in the seventies around
Dupont Circle (with a sojourn to 12th St& the first ASTA Theatre from1974-1975). What was yur favorite drinking spot back then? Favorite place for cheap eats? Any place other than The Trio? Hope all is well ... looking forward to yur memories. Regards to all, HarryB^FYI: Here are the first two days of responses - more to come later in Psrt 2, 3, 4 ...etc. I will try to include a picture of each correspondant if such photos are available to me. Please note - color pics are by Richard Haight and B&W pic by Doc Dougherty (unless noted). Give me time and your mug will appear here, too. AND ... thanks for writing! HB
KEVIN MURRAY
5/15/2008 10:14:31 AM
Although owned by Trio, the Fox & Hounds was the cheapest and most potent drinking spot I remember (mostly). Order a bourbon and ginger for $1.95 and get an 8 oz. bottle of ginger ale and a tumbler filled with bourbon & ice, necessitating drinking it undiluted until there was room in the glass for the ginger ale.ah, good times…Kevin Murray
(l to r) Eric Zengota, Stu Lerch, Stephen Zazanis, Kevin Murray (center) T. G. FInkbinder and Martin Goldsmith in John Alan Spoler's AMERICAN PLOAR [December 1980 - January 1981]
JIM NICOLA
5/15/2008 10:49:01 AM
You musn’t leave out Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse. Also, though it was not in the
Dupont Circleneighborhood, I always loved Scholl’s Cafeteria and ESPECIALLY Sherrill’s on Capitol Hill. Hope you are well, Harry.
Jim
T. G. FINKBINDER
5/15/2008 10:52:04 AM
What was your favorite drinking spot back then?
Under any available table, or in lieu of that, the F&L
Favorite place for cheap eats? Any place other than The Trio?
Opening night/closing night of any play where food was being served afterwards, or in lieu of that, Millie & Al's (technically Adam's Morgan). Oh yeah, at Pat Sheehy's manse: her husband was rich, and she could lay out a mighty fine spread. Al Wiener's (was that his name?) wife made a sublime taco salad.
T.G. Finkbinder
Martin Goldsmith (l) and T. G. Finkbinder (r) in John Alan Spoler's AMERICAN POLAR [December 1980 - January 1981]
MIKE WILLIS
5/15/2008 10:58:08 AM
Kevin made a good call on Fox & Hounds. . . I also liked Annie's because the food was good and every once in a while a guy would hit on me, which was much better than I ever did at the straight bars. . . Of course, there was Boss Shepherd's (spelling) for when we had a cast that included someone with a touch of class; We never seemed to have a lot of imagination when the show was over.
There were a few places up Connecticut around
Florida Avenuewe would drift up to. . . What was the name of that place?
Of course, because I only drank soda, so much of that period is a blur to me. . .
By the Way -
mwsr@aol.com is Michael Willis. Or Me, a name I call myself (fa, a long long way to run)
Are there other old acquaintances here that I don't recognize through their email addresses? We could start a Facebook group but I'd have to ask one of my children to set it up and that's too embarrassing. . .
Barbara Rappaport, Ernie Meier, Mike Willis, Joe Glenn in Jim Leonard, Jr.'s THE DIVINERS - New Playwrights' Theatre [June 1981]
NICK OLCOTT
5/15/2008 11:19:17
Remember Boss Shepard's (so?) where Jack's now is? They had a garlic soup that once cured me of a cold between a matinée and evening show of Phallacies.
Nick Olcott
DOUG STEINBERG
5/15/2008 11:24:15 AM
Harry,
What was the name of that place on Connecticutt, not too far from Dupont? There were any number of drunks in it at any time, long bar, brightly lit, not too far from the movie theater -- just awful and I loved it.
Doug Steinberg
Doug Steinberg (l), Josh Billings (in wig) and Rosemary Walsh (r) in Doug Steinberg's INCIDENTAL INCIDENTS [May - June 1980]
DALE STEIN
5/15/2008 12:25:06 PM
I'm impressed that you folks actually remember the names of these places - I remembered them once you reminded me...Fox & Hounds & Trio's definately. And Boss S. - Michael hit it on the head - when with someone (audience usually, never other actors...) we thought needed to drink from a clean glass...
What I DO remember is the parking space game and I certainly had favorite places in that regard, or should I say favorite possibilities. I don't remember the names of any of the nooks and crannies but I could draw a map.
Dale
Constance Fawlkes (left) and Dale Stein (right) as "the twins" in Deborah Pryor's BURRHEAD [June-July 1983]
SCOTT SEDAR
5/15/2008 12:50:51 PM
Hello Harry,
While I was a late arrival to the Asta/NPT scene, I enjoyed the
setting, especially Afterwords Cafe. Coming from Colorado, that place fulfilled a fantasy the first time I met with actors after a show. It fit the picture in my mind's eye of what it might be like to join a gathering of artists in a Parisian sidewalk cafe or a San Francisco Beat hangout. My experience in Denver was limited -- I had never seen a bookstore that had an attached restaurant and rarely was anything open after 11pm! My other favorite in that area still remains the Iron Gate, hidden away on N Street across from the Tabbort Inn.
Scott
"The Brahams" (Steven LeBlanc) is taught a valuable lesson by his father, Ward (Scott Sedar,) in Tim Grundmann's "Brahams: The Hollywood Treatment" one of the four playlets in THE LIVES OF THE GREAT COMPOSERS [February - March 1982]
Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:13 AM
Harry Wrote to Doug Steinberg / with cc to Mike Willis
North from the circle ... I remember Childe Harold, Admiral Ben Bow (closed around 1978 or so) - then north of R Street there was damn, what was it? .. before you got to Food for Thought.
They had great burgers and I always got the chili con queso
WILLIS - what was that placed called?
HarryB
5/15/2008 1:15:21 PM
The Ben Bow Lounge! God, you have a great memory, even with only half of your brain!
Doug [Steinberg]
Josh Billings (l) and Doug Steinberg (r) in Doug Steinberg's INCIDENTAL INCIDENTS [May - June 1980]
5/15/2008 1:19:34 PM
I remember occasional steak dinners at Annie's Paramount, and liked sitting outside at Boss Shepherd's, but my heart belongs to Trio, where Margo served us free appetizers and who, whenever I asked her for a doggie bag with the second half of my hot turkey sandwich, would always pack up a whole sandwich--with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce! Favorite dish--a Trio's takeout steak and cheese sub made by Terri, the heavyset woman who appeared in Richard Haight's play about the talking toilet.xoBari [Biern]
Bari Biern as Anna and Steven LeBlanc as Bach in "I Love Anna Magdalena" onr of the four playlets in Tim Grundmann's THE LIVES OF THE GREAT COMPOSERS [February 1982 - March 1982]
GEORGE PALMER
5/15/2008 1:37:59 PM
I believe I am still part of the Witness Protection Program due to my days (and nights) being Chairman of the ‘Bored’ for NPTW back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Since I had to display a certain sense of decorum, based on my position with the board, I would take dates, possible grant funders, etc to Kramer Books where I could still get a drink, a decent bite to eat and appear intellectual all at the same time. That is a feat I’ve not been able to duplicate since. Also, there was a corner restaurant, 2 doors down from Kramer’s, next to the Indian terrorist restaurant Golden Al-Quida or whatever it was called, that served omelet’s into the wee hours of the morning. The omelet’s were fresh, hot and affordable, even on a Chairman’s salary. The only downside is that it put me on the path of a lifetime of high cholesterol, but well worth it in retrospect.As for drinks there was always someone on the circle willing to share from their brown paper bag. Couldn’t beat the price! The best parties, however, simply were those held after an Opening Night. Sometimes people would play the piano till dawn and there was a lot of singing and dancing, which makes sense in hindsight, as no one could afford food or drink.Great times and even better memories.George Palmer76’-83’
George Palmer at the helm of his sailboat - that's Ken Bloom making a wicked face and Robbie McEwen - eating a peach? An outing on the Chesapeake Bay back in the summer of 1976 -snapshot by HB
Mark Stein
5/15/2008 2:19:06 PM
I'm with T.G.--any occasion when the food was free.In particular I remember a fund raiser and the home of some board member or patron on Foxhall RoadFabulous food.The only drawback was we had to wear boutonnières so guests could recognize us and ask us questions.I remember chatting with a very nice woman named, I believe, Cynthia Helms.She had so many questions I would never have made my quota of shrimp had she not said, "I'll be right back; I want Dick to meet you."I prepared to shovel in all I could before Dick...Dick?Dick Helms?As in Richard Helms, former head of the CIA?Sixty seconds later I was grinning and chatting with the man implicated in the murder of Salvador Allende.Not to mention the Huston Plan and other Nixonian atrocities. But what could I do?They were really big shrimp.
MARK
5/15/2008 2:46:38 PM
RICHARD HAIGHT'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIST
1. Annie's Paramount Steakhouse, then located at Church and 17th, where JR's is now.
2. Anna Maria's on Connecticut Ave. (Italian)
3. Timberlake on Connecticut Ave.
4. The Purple Pickle on Connecticut Ave.Springfield has spoken,Richard [Haight]
(small delicatessen)
Richard Haight (L) and Ken Bloom (R) in "The Pits" - our first theater found for us by Jim Humphrey - in a basement under a head shop on 20th Street. This obviously posed picture was taken by our friend Jean Tutenberg on the 1st day of cleaning the place (the trash in the alley, we were soon to discover, included many chicken bones and lots of old coffee grounds.)
JIM BRADY
5/15/2008 3:20:32 PM
Asking one to remember cheap drinking & dining places from years ago is a bit problematic, but...Lord Telford's was near Calvert and Connecticut behind a restaurant on an alley. It was a wee place with a dartboard where the beer and drinks were cheap. The food was from whatever the restaurant was at the time and would be brought down the stairs. TJ Camp especially liked the place. Moving down Connecticut was the Cold Duck (a Harry favorite) and a veggie place named Food For Thought that cooked recipes from the Moosewood cookbook. Admiral Benbows was farther south and only the brave and thirstiest went in there. South of that was The Child Harold and there one could find drugs along with whatever food or drink was there. Jamie McLean's was the cheapest and best place. She was the only one with money and every once in a while she would invite people over for lunch. For the most part, we would bring lunch and eat in the alley or on a set, after a trip to the boiler room. But that is a different topic. Great hearing from all of you.
Jim
(L to R) Jim Brady, Patrick Fisher and Michael Sears in THE RETURN OF CAPT. D. B. AMATUCCI by T. J. Camp, III [January - February 1973]
JERRY PRELL
5/15/2008 3:28:03 PM
I, too, remember few, if any, of the local eateries around Dupont Circle -- being a poor actor and mime -- I didn't eat out much...unless it was a fast food joint or free drinks at Childe Harold, where Bob Lawson and I occassionally performed. But re: the parking space game, I do remember learning from Harry the true meaning of Jewish luck -- as he defined it, "finding a parking space in front of your destination is like being one of the chosen people." I am sure we all felt like Moses if we found a parking spot outside the door of NPT....Cheers -Jerry Prell
Jerry Prell (L - as Sasha Berkman) and Dana Vance (R) as Emma Goldman in SPLENDID REBELS by Ernest Joselovitz - [November - December 1978]
5/15/2008 6:23:00 PM
I responded to Jerry Prell …
Actually that was something Ken Bloom told me ... he was one of the "chosen people" and since Jews were the "chosen people" each got to chose something they would always get ... he chose parking spaces (why not money, he isn't sure, but to this day, even in Manhattan, Bloom can get parking space.) It is scary how well this works for him.Regards to all - Keep those stories coming.HarryB
Strangling each other in foreground are Bagdasian (L) and Bloom (R) ... background L to R are Stu Lerch (Grampa), Bob Rayel (percussionist) and Kathryn Plowitz (crew) - at the OUT TO LUNCH photo call - August 1978
George Palmer
5/15/2008 4:52:33 PM
Harry:
It appears that you have stirred the pot, once again. The responses have been wonderful so far. Too bad certain people, like Vickie Lowe, seem to no longer be in touch or at least have another email address. With all of this input and interest I can’t help but wonder if people living on the East Coast would venture to this area for a picnic or visit to the Trio for old times sake. Stranger things could happen.
George Palmer
George Palmer examines the contract as we go to settlement when NPTW, Inc. buys the building from our friends, Church Street Associaties. Related story - click on "Buy Building"
5/15/2008 6:14:16 PM
The Ben Bow Lounge had regulars, stool-claiming drunks who'd give you the stinkeye whenever they sensed someone had just entered to go a'slumming. This meant that anyone who appeared the least bit wholesome was immediately suspect. Anyway, my friend Rob and I went there one night (a night, as it turns out, during which I would take a solemn vow never to get shitfaced again) and began drinking rum and coke. Well, after a few hours we'd converted the skeptics and had made so many new friends that the management decided to throw us out. For some reason I could drive, or at least thought I could, and Rob was kind of slobbering and nauseous, so I got behind the wheel of Rob's parents' Chevrolet. We scrambled to find a gas station and I think we pulled into that dirty, oily one that used to exist just north of The Calvert Street Bridge on the right. We entered the station office, a dimly lit affair, calmly asked if we might borrow the key to the mens room, and then once inside Rob became a veritable fire hydrant, projectile-vomiting all over the walls, the urinal, and the tile floors. Even the ceiling got slimed. Then we came out, closed the door, said thank you, returned the key and drove away. In the car, we couldn't stop laughing. In fact, we laughed so hard Rob thought he had to vomit again, so I pulled over. While he was bent over the curb retching, a cop pulled in close and shined his searchlight on us. Somehow I offered how pathetic and ridiculous Rob looked, even laughed a bit at his expense, then, a la Eddie Haskell, assured the cop that I would get him home safely, adding that I wasn't so sure how his parents were going to react, though. The cop smiled at my little quip and left. Soon as he was gone I barfed all over the front seat of Rob's parents' car just as he got back in to sit down. Now he wasn't laughing anymore. By the time dawn rolled around, I felt as if I had permanently embedded my chin print in my folks' toilet seat. Luckily, they were away. Still, it was the worst hangover of my life. To this day I cannot stand the smell of rum. I never returned to The Ben Bow Lounge. I think it's gone.
DOUG STEINBERG
Doug Steinberg (L), Stephen Zazanis (ctr) and Josh Billings (R) in INCIDENTAL INCIDENTS by Doug Steinberg [May - June 1980]
5/15/2008 7:39:11 PM - J. FRED SHIFFMAN
I have no new light to shed on any of this! For me, Tanis, Dana, Timmy Grundman, et al., it was Trio's, Trio's, Trio's and, for a change, sometimes Trio's Pizza.
When parking became an issue, we simply moved...first to
Cavenaugh Courton one side of Church and 17th., then to Copley Plaza, on the other side of Church.
Maybe that's the lesson...if you can't find a parking spot, then relocate!
Regards to all,
JFred
J. Fred Shffman (L) and A. David Johnson (R) in OUT TO LUNCH, the musical by Tim Grundmann - July - September 1978
5/15/2008 8:22:55 PM - TIM GRUNDMANN
Favorite bar: wherever I could cadge a drink. The Frat House & Mr. P's, and when I was desperate, Ellen's Irish Pub on Conn. and R (where Ellen watered down my drinks so drastically as the evening wore on--not for my own good but because she thought she was fooling me--that I'd leave practically sober, vowing never to return). Though I never actually saw her do it, someone once told me she regularly peed behind the bar. In a receptacle, presumably. I hope it doesn't tie in with my watered-down gin and tonics.
And for cheap eats? I don't remember eating in those days. Pizza at ... what was that place, Harry? Near Kramer Books, I think. Subs at the Trio pizza shop (Terri was always so nice) and the Trio, Trio, Trio, as Fred says. I remember being desperate enough to eat fishsticks during one of the Nightmare!! runs, and stage manager Luanne confronting me backstage with her j'accuse, "Tim, you owe me some fishsticks." Who know if I even thawed them...Love to all,Tim
Tim Grundmann at the taping of his one-act radio play, I LOVE ANNA MAGDALENA at WMGS FM Radio studios - May 1978