Actor
and writer Larry Vanderveen assumes the role of legendary novelist F.
Scott Fitzgerald in a powerhouse one-man show exploring the life and
times of the man who penned such classic American novels as The Great
Gatsby and This Side of Paradise. From his troubled relationship with
devoted wife Zelda to his later romance with Hollywood gossip writer
Sheilah Graham and his complex friendship with acclaimed author Ernest
Hemingway, this rich and textured exploration of Fitzgerald's eventful
life allows literature fans the unique opportunity to look into the mind
of the man responsible for some of the greatest literature of the 20th
Century. Jason Buchanan
NY.
Times reader DVD REVIEW Reviewer: signe11
Should Be Required: High
School and College instructors should play this for their students
before beginning a Fitzgerald novel or story. (It would've been nice to
have more about his short stories.) I've read everything he wrote and
nearly everything written about him over the past 30 years, and was
astounded that Mr. Vanderveen could compress so much valuable information
into 84 minutes...it seemed to go by in a flash yet I had a great
feeling of satisfaction when it was over. Mr. Vanderveen knows how to
separate the important points from the piddly things that some
biographers wallow in, while retaining the essence of the man, his
suffering and his creative genius. And I liked the fact that there was
no audience-reaction track...Mr. Vanderveen seemed to be speaking
directly to ME. sep
Friends of the City of Arcadia
Library sponsored Larry's performance of Meeting F. Scott
Fitzgerald
Photo take by Terry
Miller
Mr.
Vanderveen,
I just wanted to thank you so
much for the wonderful one-man show of F. Scott Fitzgerald at
the Arcadia Public Library. It was very informative,
entertaining and captivating. I absolutely loved how you could
change voices and characters along the way and your portrayal
was so believable and real. It really seemed like F. Scott
Fitzgerald was really present and on the stage. It also really
made me want to go out and read his books! Thanks for a riveting
performance!
Darlene Bradley Library Services Manager Arcadia
Public Library
The Montgomery house where Scott and Zelda lived
through the fall of 1931
and the spring of 1932. It is now the
Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
Sheila Graham's Hollywood
apartment where Scott died.
THE TOLUCAN TIMES,
review
of the live performance at the
Whitefire Theatre in Los Angeles.
MEETING F.
SCOTT FITZGERALD ENTERTAINS AND INFORMS. A loving portrait of writer F. Scott
Fitzgerald revealing his human frailties and deep heart, "Meeting F.
Scott Fitzgerald" presents the wistful, tragic life of the writer
through the sharp eyes and portrayal of playwright/performer Larry
Vanderveen. Skillfully weaving events throughout Fitzgerald's
tumultuous and short life, Vanderveen demonstrates the generous and
emotional soul of Fitzgerald through the device of the novelist speaking
to a Los Angeles literary club in December 1940. Vanderveen, dressed
impeccably in spats and double-breasted suit, elegantly captures the
melancholic soul of Fitzgerald, intensely revealing the emotion and
ironic humor as the long suffering but now sober writer. He wonderfully
portrays Fitzgerald's wounded but resilient spirit.
His
writing is also first rate, blending comedy, tragedy, irony, and
hopefulness to reveal Fitzgerald finding peace and a hard won maturity.
He employs the novelist's own words and quotes from other intimates to
present a well rounded view of Scott and Zelda's roller coaster
marriage, daughter Scottie's lonely life, and Fitzgerald's tragic
drinking and waste of his life. Vanderveen demonstrates great
compassion in his description of a man finally coming to terms with his
talent and life, making amends for his wrongs and attempting a graceful
comeback. An informative, entertaining, and emotional stroll through F.
Scott Fitzgerald's life. Meeting F. Scott Fitzgerald superbly reveals
the heartaches, frustrations, and successes of one of America's greatest
novelists.
Mary Mallory,
Tolucan
Sheila Graham and Scott
FROM THE PLAY "MEETING F. SCOTT
FITZGERALD"...I
admit I was attracted to Sheila because she looks
a loot like Zelda,
and her speech reminded me of Zelda, English ladies have an accent a
lot like southern bells. And her Hollywood gossip column makes
her a writer too. Writing gossip is not exactly writing
Gatsby, but we both use words. If she were here tonight I'd
never get away with that. The truly amazing thing, is that she
loves me...and...that I love her. I spite the fact that my
bond with Zelda can never be broken by anything.
I told Sheila I would never abandon Zelda and because of that I
didn't have the right to tie up her life. She said 'I wouldn't
think much of you if you stop caring for Zelda.' I told her I
didn't feel worthy of her, and I meant it.
Blurbs
From Performances Around Town...
Motion Picture & TV Fund
"Thank you for your wonderful portrayal of
F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was superb."
Tom M. McFadden, President, Marymount College "Vanderveen is a gifted actor, and his play,
Meeting F. Scott Fitzgerald, is an unforgettable theatrical experience
that truly delights his audience."
Tony
Nominee and Emmy Winner,
Joseph Campanella "A really marvelous show. I
enjoyed it so much I saw it twice."
Eva Holberg, Theatre
Palisades, Pacific Palisades "Larry Vanderveen is a magician. In his one
man show, Meeting F. Scott Fitzgerald, he became Fitzgerald. Our
audience was spellbound."
David Harch, The Regency
Club, Los Angeles "A stellar performance and a
fascinating story."
a loot like Zelda,
and her speech reminded me of Zelda, English ladies have an accent a
lot like southern bells. And her Hollywood gossip column makes
her a writer too. Writing gossip is not exactly writing
Gatsby, but we both use words. If she were here tonight I'd
never get away with that. The truly amazing thing, is that she
loves me...and...that I love her. I spite the fact that my
bond with Zelda can never be broken by anything.
I told Sheila I would never abandon Zelda and because of that I
didn't have the right to tie up her life. She said 'I wouldn't
think much of you if you stop caring for Zelda.' I told her I
didn't feel worthy of her, and I meant it.