Virginia Gregory

1969 I arrived in NY as a hippie from Ohio with a Theatre Degree from Northwestern, $25 bucks in the pocket of my bellbottoms, a love for cheap pizza and a dream. I was an ingénue - a damn good one, too. In 1960 a little show had opened Off Broadway that was destined to forever change the course of theatre history and forever bless my life. It was, of course, The Fantasticks, a mythological and mystical journey through the soul of life itself. I was privileged to play the part of The Girl for four years and found my home with some of the most talented and kind people one could possibly imagine. I had arrived. I originated the role of Marsyas in Philemon, also Off-Broadway. I did over 100 commercials and print jobs, and a film that taught women all over the country about the early detection of breast cancer, a film that proved very important to me some years later. I was honored to study for two years with the Master, William Esper. I was grilled on the stand by Perry Mason himself. I was a very fortunate actor for many years. I made a living. When the ingénue train left the station, I was a bit lost. I moved to London with a pop star, traveled the world with a vintage candy company. I went to Law School for about 5 minutes, I became a professional hair stylist and spent too many years running Sarabeth's on the Upper East Side. Some days a drama...some a farce and some, a very long days journey into night. Then, a routine mammogram. Breast cancer. Small and early -all good. But it was triple negative - not so good. So - chemo, radiation, hair loss, all while running a restaurant. The Universe was trying to tell me something but I wasn't listening until a stupid accident left me with a shattered kneecap. Finally I heard it, "You've had an amazing life, some big wins, some painful losses; you survived. Life is short and precious. Please now just get up and go do what you love." So here I am, back in the biz. I'm playing the strong, determined, vulnerable warrior that I am. Except when I'm playing the rich man's wife, seemingly vacant, but smarter than anyone will ever guess. Everything old is new again. And the dream I arrived with is more real than ever. It's been quite a journey. It is good to be home again.