Dear Friends,
One project that I’m involved in right now is serving as the voice of the principal male character on a highlights recording of songs from a musical that explores the duality of man: Good and Evil. The musical is called Jekyll & Hyde with music and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn and Leslei Bricusse. It has just completed its initial Broadway run and has featured many notable stars on stage, on albums, and most recently on video.
It’s an honor to be a part of a project that is so monumental and so much bigger than just myself. I join artists including Linda Eder, Colm Wilkinson, Donny Osmond, Sabastian Bach, Jack Wagner, David Hasselhoff, and Anthony Warlow as an honored ambassador of a monumental score that so perfectly captures the theme of duality.
The other day, outside of this project, I got to witness the duality of mankind in an ironic series of events.
“How fitting,” I reflected on the one hand, considering the relevant theme of my current recording project.
“How sad,” I thought at practically the same instant.
In the afternoon of the day in question I accompanied one of the phenomenally talented vocalists on the project to the Post Office. She accidentally locked her keys in the car.
As we sat and waited for the roadside car service to come and open the vehicle, my costar submitted to the anxiety of trying to balance the pressures of a blossoming career as a vocalist, a separate but linked career as an actress, the burdens of family, and countless other considerations. She cried on my shoulder.
“Can I offer you a ride?” offered a woman in a Range Rover, another customer of the Post Office who had witnessed our waiting by the car.
“We’re all right,” I assured.
“Do you need to call anyone?” the driver offered, holding up her cell phone.
I thanked the driver for her concern and most importantly for her offers to help, but explained we had help on the way. Her willingness to help a stranger stood out in my mind though, long after she drove away.
So came to bear our example of human goodness.
Later that evening, I was out for a walk by my house. I was literally only two blocks from my home in a family neighborhood. For the second time in the day, an all terrain vehicle pulled up.
“Can we give you a ride?” the driver asked. His intentions did not seem quiet as sincere as the woman at the Post Office. His companion, a girl in her twenties – perhaps his wife or merely a companion, confirmed my suspicion. She chimed in to the conversation, offering intimacies of a very carnal nature.
“Do you swing?” the driver asked, submitting his female companion for the taking. A taking she seemed very eager and wanton to undertake with an absolute stranger.
“Have a good night,” I said as I turned my back and walked away. My image of the goodness of humanity was shattered. All this within 24 hours.
Where do we draw the line? How do we draw the line?
What defines “right” and “wrong”?
Two offers of a ride. They were both motivated by desire. The first ride was offered in desire to do good will, the second out of desire of passion. Yet there is a chasm between the two.
I’m not saying it’s a clear line between “Good” and “Evil” or “Right” and “Wrong.” The line is often quite blurred. Maybe not in this case, but in many ways in many situations.
“Good and Evil” - it’s a song title from Jekyll & Hyde, and a status of the world today: in our neighborhood Post Office parking lots and our suburban neighborhoods. Good and Evil.
Take care of yourselves. I’m sorry we live in a world where I have to offer that advice. But at the same time I also ask that despite whatever evils there are in the world, never forget that there are also many good people with good intentions. Just judge carefully.
As always, you are my family. I am your fan.
Peace Love Trust
rikki lee travolta
Review other RLT commentary
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Stand Against Racism
Writing About Life
Crazy Pants Travolta
Gregory Hines
Everwood
Book Excerpt: Bus Fare
Learning to Stand
A Time of War
Country Charm
Talking Frankly About Family (& Christmas)
My Fractured Life
Forever Love
Good and Evil
Man Behind the Wheel
The Little Engine that Could: A Memorial
Perceptions of Perfection
Personal Decisions
Responsibility in Communication
You Done Good
Duality of Man
Evolution of a Hero
Reason to Quit - Stop Smoking
Beware of Stalkers
Dare to Dream
Do The Right Thing
Dealing with Abuse
Mother's Day
Right to Choose
Support the Cause
Just Try
Virtue of One
Martin Luther King Jr
Free Form Jazz
Creating the News
Great Expectations
Story of a Life
Acting 101
Why I Cried
Personal Values vs. Monetary Value
Broken Hearts
Dignity over Jealousy
Community Responsibility
Life, Honesty, and Integrity
Drug Withdrawal
Christmas Spirit
Rikki Lee Travolta's debut album!
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