The Dennehy Splash

So, as I've said before, funny things happen all the time in theater behind the scenes that not many people know about. I'll write about one of my recent auditions shortly. And i'll try to get my classmate Tonya to write about what she saw happen to Cherry Jones in Doubt a few years ago. It's a great story.
Anyways, I just read on playbill.com today that the amazing actor Brian Dennehy took a mighty big spill on stage the other night. Pretty scary thing to see, I'm sure. However his brilliant recovery made it somewhat humorous in the best possible way. Dennehy is currently starring in the Goodman Theatre's production of Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms in Chicago. I hope this show transfers to New York, because it has received amazing, amazing reviews. And i've never seen an O'Neill play yet.
Anyways, during a scene where Dennehy's character is praising God for his newborn son, he fell off a raised platform, tumbling to the lower stage below him, all while holding the "infant". About the fall Dennehy said, "It was a stupid mistake. I was trying to play beyond my own means and lost my balance." I remember thinking Dennehy was an old man 15 or so years ago when he was in Tommy Boy (He wasn't that old, but in my young teen's point of view, he was), so despite aging gracefully, he obviously hasn't gotten younger over time. So the fall was a big deal. However, Dennehy handled it with grace and all the class of an actor. He supposedly turned to the audience and said, "The baby is not injured!" Brilliant, brilliant brilliant. And then continued the play with out a pause. And performed the subsequent nights as well. He is 70 years old!!!! I can't even imagine.
Dennehy continuing the play, no matter how much pain he was in, shows the true class of an artist that loves, loves, loves his work. I know many actors who get a cold, or a small injury that complain about going on, or don't go in to rehearsal or something. I think that is crap. There is only two ways i'd ever miss a performance/rehearsal. If i was throwing up and would risk getting everyone else the flu, and if i have a migraine...and even with a migraine and flu i'd try to push myself through. How could you not. How could someone not do what they are being paid to do. How could someone let people down that are paying to be entertained by them. It makes me furious when i see that happen. And for an older gent, I give Dennehy all the respect in the world as a classy actor!