… and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances … ” Shakespeare wrote in his play, As You Like It.
But why would veteran actor Robert De Niro use his entrance on the world’s stage at the 2018 Tony’s for an expletive-laced rant at President Trump, who was not part of the night at all?
Photo Courtesy of Variety Media
“And just like that,” reported The Washington Post, “both a Broadway extravaganza and a beloved American actor became a lighting-rod referendum on Trumpism. As Conservative pundit Laura Ingraham tweeted, “Another ‘celebutainment’ gift to the GOP & @realDonaldTrump.”
Although Mr. De Niro was preaching to a Liberal choir, the vehemence of his denunciation was misplaced in Broadway’s celebratory night of tolerance, hope, inclusion and love.
Before the outburst, acting winners Ari’el Stachel and Tony Shalhoub, from the best musical-winning cross-cultural Israeli-Arab story, The Band’s Visit spoke about their Middle Eastern parentage and the value of immigrants as they accepted their Tony’s.
Bake a Cake
Andrew Garfield, landing a Tony for playing the landmark gay character Prior Walter in the revival of the Pulitzer winner Angels in America, said, “Let’s just bake a cake for everyone who wants a cake to be baked,” referring to the recent Supreme Court decision in favor of the Colorado baker who cited religious freedom in turning down a request to cater a same-sex wedding.
Tony winning actress for the musical Carousel, Lindsay Mendez shared the career advice she’s glad she didn’t take: “When I moved to New York, I was told to change my last name from ‘Mendez’ to ‘Matthews,’ or I wouldn’t work,” she said in her acceptance speech. “And I just want to say how proud I am to be part of a community that celebrates diversity and individuality. And to all of you artists out there, just be your true self and the world will take note.”
And there were tears in many eyes when teenage survivors of the school massacre in Parkland, Fla., sang “Seasons of Love,” from Rent. “How do you measure a year in a life?/In truths that she learned/Or in times that he cried/In bridges he burned/Or the way that she died/How about love?/Measure, measure your life in love/Let’s celebrate, remember a year/In the life of friends.”
Robert De Niro’s entrance was crass not class.