Eve Rashad/Phylicia Harrington

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 1:19pm

Did they have the same speech writer? Oh, the Graaanndness of both!

"Often I've wondered, what does it take for this to happen? And now I know. It takes effort and grace--tremendous self-effort and amazing grace. And in my life that grace has taken numerous forms. The first was the family into which I was born. Parents who loved and wanted me and a mother who fought fearlessly, courageously, consistently, so that her children, above all else, could realize their full potential as human beings. Teachers who wanted to be teachers. Art, all my life. A brilliant play, a magnificent role, a producer with a vision, a producer with a heart, and a director who dares to see me as an artist capable of many things. I thank God for every thing, every single thing, for my mother and my sister, for my brothers, for my children, and for this. Thank you." --Phylicia Rashad, Best Actress in a Play, A Raisin in the Sun

"Honored members of Sarah Siddons Society, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: What is there for me to say? Everything wise and witty has long since been said - by minds more mature and talents far greater than mine. For me to thank you as equals would be presumptuous - I am an apprentice in the Theater and have much to learn from you all. I can say only that I am proud and happy and that I regard this great honor not so much as an award for what I have achieved, but as a standard to hold against what I have yet to accomplish." Eve Harrington, Recipient of the Sarah Siddons Award

Updated On: 6/9/04 at 01:19 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 1:28pm

Lovely speech, Eve. But I wouldn't worry so much about your heart. You can always put that award where your heart ought to be.

I detest cheap sentiment.

Posted: 6/9/04 at 1:42pm

I just spit out my protein shake!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 1:56pm

Back into the green cup, I hope.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 2:09pm

I actually found it quite refreshing to hear an eloquent well-rehearsed respectful speech than the typical "Oh my gosh! This thing is so heavy! So-and-so told me to write a speech, but I didn't. Um...let me think..." The really good speeches are few and far-between.

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 2:28pm

I second that comment, Mister Matt.

Phylicia Rashad is a true class act. I can promise that had Judi Dench or Helen Mirren given the exact same speach it would not have ruffled so many feathers.

[orion59]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 2:47pm

I have to agree. Phylicia Rashad has taken a lot of flack for that speech but I found it more intelligent and thoughtful than many otehr speeches where the winner was unprepared to say anything and just babbled.

It seems that people think she was being phoney and putting on a false aire of sophistication. Too many people think of her as Claire Huxtable and don't realize that Phylicia Rashad actually does speak the way she did at the Tonys. A lot of Claire's way of speaking was put on for the character to give her more of an asociation with black audiences who still complained that teh educated lawyer character was "too white".