“Georgie”

By Joseph Cervelli

You may not be that familiar with playwright/performer Ed Dixon, but he was in quite a few shows (“Les Miserables” “The Iceman Cometh”) portraying important though not lead roles. He seems to take delight in calling himself a “character actor.”

In the delightfully spirited “Georgie--My Adventures with George Rose” at the Davenport Loft he tells about  his personal  (platonic) and professional relationship with the late actor who was murdered in the Dominican Republic where he owned a home. Dixon is quite the raconteur whose stories begin quite literally at the hilarious first meeting with Rose and end on a very unfortunate note. 

He frequently morphs into Rose and for those of us who remember this actor who almost stole every show he was in creates an indelible portrait of him. 

As a young actor (30 years Rose’s junior) Dixon had no knowledge who this gay British actor was even though he was quite renowned doing Shakespeare with such luminaries as Sirs Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier. So, when his first big break came in doing “The Student Prince” he was mesmerized by the hilarity that Rose brought to a role not known for being funny.  That humor was carried forth when Dixon went to Rose’s dressing room to be asked “Who’s your favorite Lithuanian oratorio singer?” Dixon superbly captures not only Rose’s supercilious British accent but the acerbic wit of the great performer. You can imagine Dixon’s surprise when Rose informs him that even though he has his male dressers outfitted in French maid costumes and calls each one “Lissette.” What makes the first three quarters of the show so deliriously funny is Dixon’s ability to replicate not only Rose’s voice but all his effete mannerisms. This is especially difficult with Dixon possessing a strong, textured voice while George’s was not.  And there is a priceless imitation of Rose doing Katharine Hepburn when they appeared in the musical “Coco.” 

When Rose first invited the young actor to  his apartment, Dixon was mortified (quite literally) to find two mountain lions kept as pets. Dixon tells this with such clarity that even though it occurred decades ago you can see in his eyes the same panic he must have felt coming across them one of which was nuzzling at his knee. Rose was quite the audacious character who took joy in the fear that Dixon felt. 

Besides the iconic British actors mentioned and envisioned  by Dixon as Rose, I loved his portrayal of two wonderfully talented British grand dames Gladys Cooper (shocked when she is asked to rehearse in the evening) and Dame Edith Evans who scolds Gielgud as a “naughty boy” after being arrested for cruising a men’s room.

The list of actors that Rose worked with go on and as told by Dixon will leave you howling. I especially liked  his comment was Richard Burton (sorry, you will have to see the show for that one!) 

There is a touch of foreboding when he tells about seeing Rose in a play called “Wise Child” which from the topic rightfully closed after opening. He played a pedophile who wants to buy the landlord’s young son. 

Dixon never quite understood what Rose meant when he spoke about his affection for “coffee colored boys.” He assumed he was speaking about young African American who were of legal age but soon finds out he was wrong when it came to the age aspect. With a sadness and serrated anger in his voice, Dixon is soon to discover when he visited Rose in the Dominican Republic he had “purchased” a twelve year old and frequented a brothel for underaged boys. After a run in with the police on a faked accident charge, Dixon leaves abruptly sickened by what he found out about a man he idolized. You can see in Dixon’s eyes filled with tears that he still cannot believe this of his colleague and friend. A man who was filled with wildly funny and unflappable  stories had such a dark and amoral predilection .  It was when he returned to the states that he later discovered that Rose was murdered by the young man’s family. 

Rose’s secret life and death had more of a profound affect on Dixon than he could ever imagine as his own life began spiraling out of control. Yet, he got himself together which enabled him to play many roles he and for us who can rejoice in his ability to tell a story about a man whose stories were robustly funny and retold so brilliantly by Dixon. 

Tickets are available at the Davenport Theater 354 West 45th Street or by calling 212.239.6200. As of this date the limited engagement ends April 15.

Email: jcerv58957@aol.com

CREDIT PHOTO: CAROL ROSEGG