The opening nighters

 

This is the second time I’ve mentioned my favorite photograph (by Ruth Orkin) here. Backstage at opening night of Member of the Wedding 1950.

They are a Holy Trinity. The storyteller and her two acclaimed acolytes.

Ethel Waters pure, toothy smile.

Carson McCullers hungry for her bosomy comfort. 

A twenty eight year old Julie Harris playing twelve.

Her demitasse cup, her little rings and earrings and choppy hair and pinched mouth.

The half empty cushy brocade couch.

Carson's and Julie’s blouses blending.

Ethel’s headband. What is she looking out at?

Carson’s cufflink and curled fingers.

What’s inside the box?