When I learned several weeks ago that Carrie Fisher would be bringing her one woman show to Boston’s Huntington Theatre I hastened to get a ticket. My fast action was rewarded with a third row, end seat – heavenly. Then when Carrie began her show by singing “Happy Days Are Here Again” and walking into the audience, there I was as she sprinkled glitter (mostly in my hair) and I mouthed the words, “Love you!”
Talk about a special moment - that was one. I have long admired Carrie Fisher as a survivor, talented actress, brilliant writer and most of all a very funny lady. She has cleverly mined her, as she says, “all too eventful life.” A life always lived in the public eye. Born to celebrity parents, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, her father left her mother for Elizabeth Taylor when she was two years old. Her mother took her out of high school and put Carrie in the chorus of her Las Vegas show. By the time she did Star Wars at the age of twenty she was having addiction problems. In and out of rehab her struggle continues.
Not being a fan of Star Wars it was not Carrie Fisher’s movie career which got my attention but rather her books. As an author she uses words very cleverly and almost never fails to get a laugh in very depressing circumstances. This I enjoy.
Her first marriage to singer Paul Simon ended in divorce. Her second marriage to talent agent Bryan Lourd ended when he left her for another man. From this union she has a daughter, Billie, whom she clearly adores. She continued to live in the Los Angeles area so that her daughter would have a father’s love and influence. Something Carrie herself didn’t have. Her Dad’s most famous song is, “Oh My Papa” or as Carrie likes to say, “Oh My Faux Pa.”
Her manic personality eventually meant a bipolar diagnosis. She is very open about her mental illness and says that doing her show has helped her to own her problems rather that the problems owning her. Clearly her sense of humor and brilliant wit have helped her to survive a dysfunctional childhood, her alcoholism, the drug addiction, mental illness, marriage to a man who, as she says, “…forgot to tell me he was gay.” and most recently the accidental death in her home of a very dear friend. The latter event sent her into a deep depression. She created her show as a way to help her out of the doldrums.
Regarding Carrie’s one woman show, “Wishful Drinking”, I was very moved by it and don’t think I ever laughed so much - simply genius. Thank you Carrie for taking us away from our every day problems while at the same time dealing with your own. I won’t soon forget my special Carrie Fisher moment.
