Monday, December 16, 2013

Two Hamlet Skulls... and a Robert in a Pe-trie...

Thes·pi·an  (THespēən) adj.   1. Of or relating to drama; dramatic: thespian talents.

Next to this definition in the dictionary... I'm not sure why there isn't a picture or Robert Petrie's face.  

Or more accurately... a recording of his voice.

Maybe I'm biased after watching this kid perform for the past few years on the stage in LeGrand at East Marshall High School, but I for one am gonna miss seeing and hearing his talent next year when he's no longer there.

Whether he's the roaming reporter... the surfer dude... the Greek God Zeus or any of the other characters his been cast to portray, he seems to hit the thing right on the screws every time.   Maybe it's the directors knowing just where to put him... or maybe he's just THAT good... or maybe it's a little of both?   One way or another, the guy is a one of a kind.

Somehow I wasn't surprised then when Rob brought in jeans with a sports jacket.... a black shirt, slacks and a tie.... and then for his "casual" outfit... a rolled up dress shirt and slick black vest.   Normal?  No.   Totally Robert Petrie?   Without a doubt, yes.

Armed with his smug grin that is 0% arrogant... and 100% his trademark look, Rob and I were off to capture his unique style that has him destined to either be the next Wink Martindale, Richard Dawson or Bob Barker.   Don't ask me why I think he's born to be a game show host... It's just my opinion.  ;)

More accurately... he's probably too talented for that... Truth is... he'll probably be the next guy you see reporting for the NBC Nightly News... or CBS's 60 Minutes or or ABC's Nightline.

The funny thing is... that somehow I expected Rob's STAGE voice to be different than his REAL one.   I mean surely he was just putting on this best thespian hat while up on stage getting into character.   But to my surprise.. and, not gonna lie here, my delight... his REAL voice and his STAGE voice were one and the same.   He's never really OUT of character.   He seems to always just be that GUY... whether he's performing or not.

Maybe he just lives life that way... a perpetual virtuoso performance filled with All-State dry humor, a crooked wry smile, zinger one-liners, and hair that is flat out too good to be true.

If you're wondering what in the world the first image and the title of the blog is all about... let me explain.

I asked Robert right out  of the gate if he had any "have-to's"  for his session... and he told me... not really.  Other than one thing.

He did bring in a replica skull that he wanted to go all Shakespeare on.   A quick look at Google and a combination of a couple of angles with his best Hamlet impersonation... and you get what you see here.... Another Petrie classic.   

To BE... or NOT to be?   That was Rob's question.  Add in his trademark smug grin... the cleft chin that he works like Miley does a foam finger... mix in a little Stewart Photography photoshop magic and BAM.   It's pure awesomeness that only Robert can pull off...

One way or another, Mr. Petrie is gonna take his talents elsewhere next year... and in my opinion we'll have big shoes to fill.   Thanks for all the laughs over the years, Robert.   Best wishes in your bright future.   Talent like yours is rare... don't be afraid to chase your dreams.  

To BE or NOT to be... That isn't the question... It's an order from a former two time All-Stater.   Choose to BE.... be great.













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