Yesterday, two days after suffering severe trauma to her head after a ski-related fall, Tony Award-winning actress Natasha Richardson died at the very young age of 45.
My heartfelt condolences are extended to her family and friends on their enormous loss.
While the world anxiously awaits definitive news on the state of Natasha Richardson, who earned a Tony in 1998 for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in Sam Mendes' brilliant revival of Cabaret, I want to express two thoughts.
First and foremost, my heart goes out to Ms. Richardson's family and friends as we all wish for the best.
Second, I'm absolutely disgusted by the media's irresponsible rush to proclaim anything until the family is ready. Particularly grievous was yesterday's despicably premature pronunciations by Time Out New York, followed by Michael Riedel's New York Post declarations.
In the ensuing rush to get a scoop, including capturing photos of the shocked and devastated family, the worst within the media have pushed the boundaries of decency by debasing this news into the most unseamly of realms. Is it no wonder Americans have such a distaste for the news media?
Media: Give it a rest. Let the family and friends of Ms. Richardson cope this this tragedy in peace. Let them make any official statements on their own timetable without adding to the pain. Afford them the same courtesies you'd want if you were in their shoes.
UPDATE (3.18.09, 11:47 p.m. EDT): Earlier this evening, it was announced that Natasha Richardson has succumbed to her traumatic injuries from a skiing accident. Ms. Richardson was 45. My sincere condolences to this winning actress' family and friends on their immense loss.
Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles Limited run extended through May 31, 2011 (Show will go on hiatus starting January 15 and reopen at Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 8)
Rock Of Ages - Open-ended run (Show will go on hiatus starting January 9 and reopen at Helen Hayes Theatre in March)
As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!
