Purple Corn Harvest
“Try to remember, the kind of September
When Life was Slow, and Oh, so mellow.
Try to remember and if you remember,
Then Follow.
Follow. Follow. Follow.” —
The Fantasticks*Per Charles Kightly’s Perpetual Almanack of Folklore, September is the month of Harvest-Home, Hops, and Apples. In Wales, September is the month of Reaping. In Gaelic, it is the month of Plenty.
In the Garden Spot of the Universe, September is the month of Peruvian Purple Corn, Late Green Beans, and Farewells.
More later.
(*) The Fantasticks was the first play I ever saw. I was probably around 15 years old. For some reason, my mother took me to Derby Dinner Playhouse…just the two of us, which was quite unusual….we ate prime rib and enjoyed a Bus & Trunk road company production of this American classic.
About 20 years later (or more), I was cast in a production in LA. Luckily for the audience, I played “the Mute,” and therefore, did not subject anyone to my singing voice, however, I was on stage almost the entire time, which was kind of grueling and alternately, exciting. Two cast members from that production have since been on Broadway. They could really sing and were delightful. I like to think the other cast members are in prison for crimes they did not commit. They were less delightful. That’s Theatre!
Anyway, fun anecdote for me. Thanks to my Mom for introducing me to the Theatre and to Prime Rib, both of which I still enjoy to this day.
Notes from Groundhog Hill 
As the director of above mentioned production of THE FANTASTICKS, I must take issue with Mr. La Rue’s comment “Luckily for the audience, I played ‘the Mute,’ and therefore, did not subject anyone to my singing voice”. Mr. La Rue, in fact, has a lovely singing voice. And while he did not make it to Broadway with fellow actor Chris Sullivan (also now co-starring on Cinamax’s new hit THE KNICK), Mr. La Rue did continue his most excellent career behind the scenes in television and theater, encouraging and nurturing talent, both fledgling and established. I am forever grateful for his friendship and guidance.
Let’s not forget to mention Alli Mauzey who starred as The Girl and had the unfortunate fate of dancing with me as The Mute but may be better known for making her Broadway debut in HAIRSPRAY. Thanks for the nice words, Valerie Mayhew. And thank you for not mentioning how incompetent I was on those darn cymbals you forced me to wear/play.