Page 34 - How We Lead Matters

Laughter as Legacy

I was young and fearless and, truth be told, a bit arrogant when I announced
to the legendary comedian, Danny Kaye, that I had come to audition him for
a charity event for the Minnesota Orchestra.
“So, you’re here to audition me?” he said with a boyish smile. “I don’t
think I’ve been auditioned in 40 years. Have a seat.” I sat down at his kitchen
table with his manager of three decades, Herb Bonice. My idea was for
Danny to conduct the “Tivoli Ball” as the Hans Christian Andersen charac-
ter he had portrayed in the 1952 classic film.
“Well, let’s see,” he said thoughtfully. “I might consider doing this. But
I have some conditions.” I opened my notebook, ready to accommodate.
“I need South African resin for the floor. What kind do they use in
Minnesota?” “I don’t know,” I said earnestly, “but I’ll find out.”
“And carnations. These have always been good luck for me. They
should be red,” he said. “Oh, and there needs to be 137 of them . . . exactly.”
I scribbled each word in my notebook.
“And wooden hangers. I can’t stand those slippery metal ones.” By then
I was considering retracting my offer, but I noticed a glint in Herb’s eye. I
slammed my book shut and threw down my pen. “Now you’ve gone too far!”
We all collapsed in childish glee.
After his death, I read that a priest said of Danny Kaye, “Any fool can
be solemn, but only a saintly person can be a fool.”
Amen.
Oh, yes, he did conduct the Minnesota Orchestra.

Marilyn Carlson Nelson 17