It Took Forty Years to Fulfill Jack O’Brien’s Prophecy

I’m finally fulfilling Jack O’Brien’s prophecy. When I told him I was leaving my job at the Old Globe Theatre 40 years ago, he said, “You’ll be back.” That’s been in the back of my mind ever since. On Sunday evening July 28, I will be on the Festival Stage for the first time as a paid actor (bit role) for one night only in “Henry 6.” It’s been a long and winding road to complete this circle.

I’m sharing this story because I thought you, gentle readers, might find it interesting — maybe even entertaining. Here’s the background: I graduated from the University of California, Irvine in the Fall of 1981 with a B.A. in Drama. Previously, I did theatre as an actor and playwright at Orange Glen High School in Escondido and Palomar College in San Marcos.

When I left Orange County in 1982, I came home to San Diego. I began acting at the Marquis Public Theatre (now home to the National Comedy Theatre) on India Street. A year or so later, I landed a cool day job working in the Old Globe’s subscription sales office, which eventually led to me becoming a script reader in the Old Globe’s Play Discovery Program. It was an ideal situation for a young theatre maker, rubbing shoulders with professionals, seeing every show for free, and being on a first-name basis with artistic director Jack O’Brien (who went on to win multiple Tonys and is…