I was always enchanted by Patricia Neal, probably since seeing The Day the Earth Stood Still as a kid. That voice, that face.
Fast forward to 2016 or 2017. I was playing or attending something at The Gary-The Olivia Theater on the grounds of the Abbey at Regina Laudis. The show's director brought this woman over to introduce her to me. It was a friend, Tessa Dahl, who was visiting that week. I was stunned. I'm sure my jaw was resting comfortably on the floor as we stood there and talked. It was like looking into the face of, and hearing, Patricia Neal. Patricia Neal was standing there talking to me, as outgoing and friendly as could be. It was the most intense such resemblance to someone that I've ever experienced. I really didn't want it to end, but she was hustled out shortly thereafter.
The original connection to the place was that (Mother) Dolores Hart, with the help of her friend Patricia Neal, started that theater (also note its name), and Hart was probably there that evening. Oh wait, that was probably her own 50th anniversary celebration at the Abbey, and why Tessa would have made a point of being there. I miss that place. The couple who had directed the shows there moved to the west coast shortly before Covid, then the place closed to the public because of the pandemic and I don't think they've yet found anyone who can get it going again. Must check on that. I loved doing a few things there, and being around Hart and the others there in the summers (it's a lovely open-air theeder).
