LIZ TAYLOR, AN EXCEPTION PROVING A RULE

In philosophy there is the principle of duality (everything has its opposite); in life there is the adage the-exception -proves-the-rule. The recently deceased Hollywood icon, Elizabeth Taylor, implies the first and surely proves the second. In most theatrical careers, the "opposites" are celebrity vs talent. In her celebrated career, she conflated these opposites. She was both all at the very same time!

This occurred to me as I was entering a Chicago area theatre for a promising production of Elton John's "Aida." Just outside was a magazine rack of gaudy, tattletale magazines; inside was a gifted cast of dazzling performers. The magazines illustrate everything glitzy and gaudy about pop celebrities; the show projects everything solid and scintillating about talented artists. Too bad too few Taylors to prove the two can actually co-exist.

The pathology to the tell-all Hollywood junk papers is so manifest as to be ludicrous. Concoct the wildest scenarios, quoting the usual imaginary "insiders," then to hype sales kick your menus up a notch. Instead of the old focus on celebrity's glamor, instead go for the gritty. The vulturous paparazzi now get their fattest checks for candids catching the stars in their worst moments. Over-weight, over-served, over-faithless. It's not coincidental that vampires are so popular these days, for these publications survive on sucking the blood out of these celebrity lives week after gruesome week.

In happy contrast, the show inside turns out to be one more testament to talent. Not a celebrity in the entire cast. Instead, just talent from lead to walk-on.

So god bless you, Liz, for both your celebrity and especially your talent. Making the two come together was your 60-year gift to us. Not likely to soon happen again in quite the same wonderful way....