| Frank
Delvy Day in Austin, Texas |
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 On
August 2, 2008, a gathering of over 150 people met
at the McFadden Auditorium in Seton Hospital to celebrate one
of Austin's most revered and well-loved personalities: Frank
Delvy.
The Master of Ceremonies was Gary Hallock,
who also wrote a special poem in Frank's honor. Janette Jones
helped
coordinate the event and also sang some duets with Frank.
Numerous
people shared stories of their experiences with Frank, through
which we were all so moved by the many facets of Frank's life:
an accomplished performer of Gilbert & Sullivan operas
and other musical theatre; as a regular performer and staff
member of the City of Austin's Water Conservation troupe, Douser
Dan; and most important, a friend to many, humble, kind, and
a loving husband to his devoted spouse, Donna.
 There
were many moments of inspiring and heartwarming stories,
and we were
all so thankful that Frank, with his many talents and joyful
spirit, had brought us all together in celebration of LIFE.
It was an afternoon of old memories, humorous stories, and
an
interesting mix of a variety of people.
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Gilbert
and Sullivan lovers and performers were there in force,
and we were introduced to Frank's earliest connections
in Austin -- his friends from the old Armadillo World
Headquarters, now long gone. When Frank first arrived
in Austin, carrying pretty much only a guitar, he started
working at the old Armadillo -- the details came flooding
in. Frank made popcorn, Frank ran the bar, Frank sold
T-shirts, and no doubt a lot else that wasn't mentioned.
He began performing in plays and musicals, many directed
by Ken Johnson at his Hyde Park Theatre, and in 1983
finally appeared in our production of The Gondoliers at
Zach Scott. The rest is Gilbert and Sullivan history.
With gratitude to Frank for all he has done, the City
of Austin proclaimed, through Austin City Council Member
Lee Leffingwell, that August 2, 2008 would hereby
be known as Frank Delvy Day. |
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I'm well known for punning, that's what I must do
But I, for a moment, must be Frank with you
And I will invite you to be Frank with me
A rare opportunity, as you will see
Since Frankness, although a lame play on his name
Is fitting in honoring him all the same
We should, to be honest, more like this Frank act
With generous dignity, patience and tact
But we can't be Frank, so forgive my strained pun
Though try as we might, we'll be always undone
For honestly who, in this room here assembled
Can state, with face straight, that they haven't dissembled?
We all wear our masks and stay cloaked in pretense
None more so than actors. Does it not make sense?
That we can't be Frank any more than he can
Seems Frankness eludes ev'ry thespian man
Yes, all of us hope as we're playing our roles
That this thin veneer keeps in check our true souls
That costumes and make up behind which we hide
Distracts all our critics from what dwells inside
We can not be Frank, nor do we try to be
But that's the illusion we want folks to see
Although being Frank is a thing to admire
It isn't a goal to which actors aspire
We thrive in our world of odd pre-var-ication
And only speak truth on the rarest occasion
And all must play parts that involve role reversal
Just speaking the lines that we learn in rehearsal
With so little Frankness in our repertoire
There seems little chance we can even the score
The best we can hope for when working on stage
Is that we might thrive to fairly ripe age
Before we're called out or are taken to task
For begging this question that I again ask
Can we all be Frank? Almost certainly not!
We only need one, that's the Frank that we've got
To be Frank and honest, without guile or guise
Is not what we do, and therein the truth lies
Yet when the truth lies, well then what's to be done?
But put it to work as I make my last pun
I've pondered at length on this most awkward question
And given the matter some candid reflection
Though open and truthful, so seldom I am
I'll state "My dear, Frankly, I do give a damn.
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