Mickey Mouse Club to The Players

By PAUL GINSBERG

Paul Ginsberg

During my life I’ve been a member of many clubs: Mickey Mouse Club, Price Club, Costco, Automobile Club, The Magic Castle of Hollywood (43 years) and the Friars Club of New York from 2003 until it closed. I like people and I love comedy. When the Friars Club closed I wandered downtown to the Players, a reciprocal club of the Magic Castle.

I introduced myself and sat at a small circular table in the grill, observing the people, the dynamics, and feeling the camaraderie. After a while Elizabeth Jackson noticed me sitting alone, and she explained that the two long tables were communal tables and everyone was welcome. She invited me to join the table and become a part of the conversation. Looking back, I’d say that this was when I really became a Player. I visited every week or two as a reciprocal member, and became comfortable with everyone I met. The history of the building, Edwin Booth, his legacy, and his gift surrounded me, along with a number of members who were to become my friends. And for me “friend” is a highly prized title. More time went by and I watched Eddie and Ellie presiding, and I coined the phrase “The Famous Eddie Bow,” the only way to sip Eddie’s overflowing martinis.

I supported the Foundation, and, as a forensic audio expert, having clarified recordings for C.I.A., F.B.I., D.E.A., I.R.S., A.T.F., Homeland Security, and Secret Service, I had my sights set on enhancing the original cylinder recordings of the voice of Edwin Booth. Happily I got to do that. More about that project in another post.

And then Covid reared its ugly head and the club, along with everything else, was forced to close for everyone’s well-being. I decided to support the club by hosting a weekly Zoom session for all Players. The Monday night sessions were fun, and everyone stayed connected, for about three years.

Finally, I said, “I need to join this club” and I submitted my application with Elizabeth Jackson as my primary sponsor, seconded by Claiborne. The admissions committee, despite knowing me for several years by this time, said they needed to do a formal interview. It would be a Zoom meeting. I had the feeling that this interview was going to be more of a roast, so I decided to beat them to the punch, and for my “formal” interview, I appeared on screen in my tuxedo. Happily the meeting went well, and I was formally accepted as a full-fledged Player.

That was several years ago, and I have loved every minute I’ve spent at the club. I really enjoy connecting with everyone. I have dubbed Claiborne “the beacon of the Players.” I always learn something new when I am at the club. One day I came in wearing a large wide-brim hat, and I sat down next to Claiborne. There was a moment of silence followed by laughter, whereupon I gifted the hat to her. She later told me that she wore it that Easter before giving it to a young girl. We both felt good about that.

I love that at the Players I can be myself, and get silly, and be accepted by my friends. One example of what the Players is all about I have repeated many times. One day I was on the balcony chatting with Justin Nastro. I mentioned that I regretted going through my life never having seen "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Without skipping a beat, he said, “Wait two weeks.” Two weeks later not only was the movie screened in the dining room, but all the props were supplied, and a troupe of actors was there acting out the entire movie, in costume and in sync with the movie. We all did the Time Warp, and I got to check that off of my bucket list. Thank you Players.

Whether it’s a quiet Happy Hour with friends, or a wild Halloween party, or me just looking around, taking it all in, sipping my Windex, The Players is my club… :)

Paul Ginsberg

Paul Ginsberg is a leading forensic audio expert specializing in clarification of undercover and aircraft black-box recordings. He has participated in over 2,000 trials. He recently used his expertise to enhance recordings of Edwin Booth recorded on wax cylinders by Thomas Edison. Paul loves family, friends, comedy, magic, pasta, wine, and chocolate. He had a pet peeve but it died. He can usually be found in the grill telling funny stories.