Since the angry emails have finally subsided, I will resume my blogging tribute to the country of Canada (yes, it's a real country) by chronicling the life and accomplishments of a Canadian of some reknown. Tonight's biographical profile will look to the world of the Toronto Theatre and that beloved thespian, Corky St. James. The photo posted to the right is of Corky when he performed "Peter Pan" at the Royal Alexandra in 1989 to critical acclaim. Audiences usually expect a pert and rather spritely woman to play the part, along the lines of a Sanda Duncan, or Mary Martin, or Cathy Rigby, or Betty Luster, but St. James brought his own flamboyant style to the part.
Unfortunately, Corky's promising acting career was limited. When preparing for the audition for the lead in "Sylvia" he hired the services of a plastic surgeon to alter his features to resemble a dog. To create the perfect illusion, he slimmed-down to 3 1/2 pounds to fit into the costume. The surgeon removed almost his entire head, except for the brain and the eyes. Next, he grafted a life-like tail onto his gluteal muscles. Anyway, he didn't get the part. Alas, unfortunately for Corky, the director was not looking for a human-dog freak and cast a pert and rather spritely woman in the part. Since the surgury is not reversible, St. James has been reduced to performing in dogfood commercials.
