Valerie Lemon | Events

When she first heard Doris Day singing Secret Love, Valerie recalls, she could particularly relate to the words, "now I shout it from the highest hill." She treasured these respites from the turmoil around her and early on recognized the value of achieving serenity.

New York, however, is anything but a serene town. Valerie's account of her years there could offer a comic writer material to create another Wonderful Town, although the sister to whom she would eventually become very close did not accompany Valerie to the Big Apple.

Life became serious and demanding for the next few years, but it also contained a potential for humor and slapstick. The terrified, shy girl on her own but at the same time living under the supervision of Hungarian nuns. Going to a school situated in the Bowery, then a particularly seedy part of town, with the omnipresent possibility of encountering a Charlie Chaplin-like tramp.

Auditioning for and getting a part in a national tour of The Student Prince, the good money she earned burning a hole in her pocket that eventually created a confrontation with her father. A stint at modeling and the need to stave off "dirty old men." Working at the restaurant Mrs. J's Sacred Cow where her customers were also aspiring stars, some going on to become great successes (and remaining Valerie's friends).

Singing to the customers waiting for food. Playing Movie Trivia with Fred Ebb and trying to hold her own by sneaking off to the cashier, who had a prodigious knowledge of film history. Meeting at Mrs, J's wise guys of various ethnic persuasions, but also diplomats, one of whom tipped Valerie 100 dollars every time she sang Don't Cry for Me, Argentina.