I recently watched an old Dick Cavett interview with the remarkable actress Julie Harris. At the time, (mid 1970s), Harris was starring in a one woman show about poet Emily Dickinson, who seems to have had a normal childhood, then took to being a recluse in her family home in Amherst, Massachusetts where she lived delightfully in her imagination; a poetic world unto herself.
I decided to watch this production, and am I ever glad I did! Written by William Luce, the script is extraordinary to begin with, added to which, Julie Harris gives a compelling, can't-look-away, virtuoso performance as Dickinson. Julie fully inhabits the role with a zesty masterful command of character and stage, providing many laugh-out-loud moments.
The audience is treated as though a guest in the Dickinson home as Emily shares her joys and challenges from the love of a sunset to her annoyance with the silly town gossips, whom she seems to take pleasure from egging on. Interwoven in the script, Julie as Emily recites some of her poems in such a brilliant way it was as if I was hearing them through a crystal lens for the first time. Ms. Harris won the Tony Award for this; no surprise as to why.
This wonderful production reminded me of everything I love about excellent stage writing and acting. I was entertained, educated, and my life is better for having watched this. Now I plan to see more projects penned by Luce and revisit some of Harris' roles. Charles Nelson Reilly was the artistic advisor.
I cannot recommend The Belle of Amherst highly enough.