Patty Loves to Rock and Roll!

Those of us who were around at the time may recognize the title of this post: it's a line from the theme song to The Patty Duke Show, which aired on ABC from 1963-1966.
I recall watching the show's original run with great fondness, never dreaming that Ms. Duke and I would one day share a medical diagnosis: manic depression.

Two days ago, I spent nearly 90 minutes on the phone with Patty Duke, the results of which will be published in Bay Area Reporter & ON Magazine in July.

Our phone chat was WONDERFUL!
The now 62 year old Duke (she proudly admits to her age) chatted about her two most famous films: The Miracle Worker (1962) & Valley of the Dolls (1967), both of which will screen at the Castro Theatre on July 20th~~she'll be there in person to do an onstage Q & A for Valley of the Dolls!
She shared wonderful memories of Miracle Worker co-star, the late, great Anne Bancroft.
She spoke proudly of her five children, and how much she enjoyed being Grandma.

She spoke of her love for her work, and her love for the life she now shares with husband Michael Pearce in Idaho.

She and I also spoke of our manic depression, which was exhilirating for me~~Patty Duke, the first celebrity to speak publicly about living with and overcoming a mental illness, is and will remain my all time hero.

After we got off the phone, I heard from Marc Huestis, the producer of Sparkle, Patty! Sparkle!, the Castro Theatre event.
Michael Pearce told Marc that he and Patty would like to meet me in person at the Castro Theatre.

I am humbled beyond words, and look forward to the day with great joy and anticipation.

David Alex Nahmod
SF CA
June 2009