Actress-comedienne Lily Tomlin came to the historic Balboa Theatre for a one-night engagement. But, she’s so popular, the gig soon had to be increased to two performances. Every fan has a favorite Tomlin character, maybe Edith Ann or Ernestine or the Bag Lady. Who can ever forget her burnished sensitive performance as Linnea, a gospel singer and mother of two deaf children in Robert Altman’s masterpiece film Nashville? It seemed every person present at the two local shows connected with something, whether funny or personal. The stories just kept coming, as she delivered her lines at a super fast tempo while she paced the stage with boundless energy sourced from who knows where. She said someone told her she’s in touch with reality only two hours a day. That’s about right because her imagination runs full force most of the time. Besides, she’s a riot. Very funny, but never predictable. Some of her characters are now darker in comedic nature. In fact, there’s a hint of George Carlin in her delivery these days. The years have deepened Tomlin’s work, and made it even better.
A great evening was even greater because she was back in San Diego, where she resided and worked on her one-woman show in 1985, while she also served as co-chair with actor Christopher Reeve of the Old Globe Theatre’s 50th anniversary year. On a sunny May day in 1985, she celebrated the Globe’s great accomplishments in a grand ceremony and took part in the dedication of the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. I was privileged to join her on stage on that occasion, along with Craig Noel, Jack O’Brien, Tom Hall, Pete Wilson, and some of the original 1935 Globe Players. Twenty-five years and many awards later, she was back in San Diego, spinning her stories and bringing joy to lots of people. DARLENE G. DAVIES
