Here’s the piece that I wrote for Dan Guerrero’s 75th birthday this past October! Thanks to Joshua Silverstein for always going with the flow.
Joe steps to the podium.
JOE:
Born without a dollar
You grew up blue collar
You are a true pioneer
You built your own career
You didn’t look to others for support
You put your hopes for a better life into sports
Back in the day
At UCLA
Started out—
Over the speaker, we hear the Stage Manager stop Joe. Joe looks up and out towards the back.
VO:
I’m sorry. Joe. Stop. Stop.
JOE:
What?
VO:
Joe, your poem is about the wrong Dan Guerrero.
JOE:
What?
VO:
That’s a different Dan Guerrero.
JOE:
This isn’t to pay tribute to Dan Guerrero, the UCLA athletic director?
VO:
No. This is for Dan Guerrero, the…well…he’s done a lot of things.
JOE:
Okay. No, that’s okay, I did a Facebook search too.
Joe pulls out binder.
JOE:
Oh, so is this Dan Guerrero, senior partner at the Law offices of Guerrero and Chan?
VO:
No.
JOE:
Danny Guerrero the pianist?
VO:
No.
JOE:
Daniela Guerrero, the cutie who lives in Monterrey, Mexico?
VO:
No.
JOE:
Oh…is this the Dan Guerrero who’s friends with Linda Ronstadt?
VO:
YES!
JOE:
Okay. Cool. Joshua, can you help me with this? Can you guys give a round of applause for my partner Joshua Silverstein?
Joshua walks out.
JOSHUA:
I told you you were wrong.
Joshua starts beatboxing.
JOE:
Born in Tucson
Dad a musician
He follows his dreams
Like a politician
Your dad shakes hands
Writes many songs
Finds success
And you all come along
It’s the 1950s
There is no GLEE
They still think gay is somehow a disease
No out and proud on magazines
And you
You’re like
“Shit, that don’t phase me”
Your friends they say
You’re always cool
The most fabulous kid
Up in middle school
You stand strong
You stand with pride
The most glamorous man at Garfield High!
From the AZ
To East LA
Then you make your way east
Cuz you love Broadway
Non-stop
With Carlos
You never rest
Not a lot of chances
To prove you’re the best
Acting in the 60s
Lotta white dudes
Not a lotta room
For tall gay Chicano dudes!
So skinny
No belts worked
So you rock suspenders
And tight-ass shirts
You look good!
Head’s on straight
And you somehow survive
On $5 a day!
Up state
Summer stock
Rock the cape cod
But you’re so broke
You’ve gotta take a job
You become an agent
You’re rising fast
You represent ALL
Chorus line to Cats
The years go by
New York’s a ride
You have a good time
But you say goodbye
In LA
The sky’s so bright
Your condo’s way bigger than your spot in Brooklyn Heights
You never stop
It’s a new phase
You start casting, writing, producing
All in three days
From NBC to HBO
Univision’s
Paul Rodriguez show
You embrace our life
Make Latinos stars
Rock PBS with your girl Vikki Carr!
You’ve put so much art into motion
You’ve survived every Latino explosion!
And where does a youthful producer go?
Hell, it’s time to write my solo show!
35 years later
Back on stage
There’s just no way
We can keep you away
So many years
You’ve done your best
So many years
Each a success!
You’ve worked so hard
You grab a hold
At 75
Baby…you’re gold!
You’re just getting warm
While others may leave
You’ve got one more title up your sleeve
Your values you hold strong like a python
Cuz you’re Dan Guerrero
A mother fuckin’ ICON!