Imagine with me, a 35-year-old who is still starring in a children's variety show--21 years after he got the part. Co-stars have come and gone, but he remains. He tries to blend in, but America is beginning to wonder about him. These are his memoirs--part one in a series.
I always wanted to be a star, I guess because I liked being the center of attention. It began with the puppet shows I did for my parents, and progressed to song and dance competitions. Glitter was the thing then--the more sparkle on your pant suit, the better. I looked hideous in that stuff, always with the feathered hair-do. I'll post a picture some time.
My big break came when producers came to my hometown of Worcester looking to cast four kids for a song-and-dance skit show called Eddie's Fun Junction. I remember auditioning with a soliloquy from Hamlet. I also sang and tap-danced the song All That Jazz. I was 14.
I was in the original cast of Eddie's--"Eddie" being a drunk guy in an eagle costume. Why they thought an eagle mascot could headline a children's show, I will never know. I guess all the bear, mouse, and dog gigs were taken. Anyway, we all hated Eddie. His real name was Octavio--something. He was in his late 20's, but seemed a lot older to me back then.
