William H. Macy

William H. Macy Instagram – We’re a week into 2024 and I’ve been reflecting on 2023. This past year I met three people who had a powerful effect on me. Last February I saw Dave Chapelle and what was so very present for me was that I was in the presence of genius. He had the audience in the palm of his hand, and he played us like a Stradivarius. He is a masterful story teller and his comedy is stunningly brave and honest. I know he’s drawn a lot of heat for his comedy but what I saw was a performer filled with love of the human condition and an absolutely original take on the world. Last summer I saw Annaleigh Ashford in SWEENEY TODD on Broadway and it was one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen. She is absolutely comfortable on stage. Her performance was big and filled the theater, and yet she is a master of stillness. In one scene she was knitting a scarf while talking with a young actor and every once in a while, breaking into song. At a point, she noticed that she had dropped a stitch and she pulled the yarn out until the offending spot, and then resumed knitting. She did this while acting and singing SWEENEY TODD on Broadway. That, my friends, is what they call “chops”. Finally, I saw Michelangelo’s David. We spent most of the day in the Gallery Accademia and I know he’s made out of marble, but I swear his expression changed and I could see him breathing. It was the most divine work of art I’ve ever seen. | Posted on 09/Jan/2024 03:34:36