Brad, Angelina, and Tennessee: a generous offer

It's no secret that the French Quarter has two rather well-known recent transplants. Made a couple of movies, I gather. Heard something about them starting a family, too.

After lunch today, I walked past their new house, which has its own history; it was once owned by the New Orleans record producer Cosimo Matassa, who used it as a recording studio. Fats Domino recorded "It's Raining" and "Walkin' to New Orleans" there. Irma Thomas cut "It's Raining." And it's where Ernie K-Doe immortalized his "Mother-in-Law." Once an avocado warehouse near the Mississippi River docks, it's now more Architectural Digest than Avocado Digest.

What has this to do with the Tennessee Williams Festival? Well, among Ms. Jolie's extensive collection of tattoos is this quote emblazoned on the inside of her forearm:

"A PRAYER FOR THE WILD AT HEART KEPT IN CAGES"

It's the subtitle for TW's 1941 play Stairs to the Roof, but it's probably better known today in its abbreviated form as Wild at Heart, the Barry Gifford novel that became a David Lynch film. And since Mr. Gifford is going to be at the Festival...is it completely out of the realm of possibility that Mr. Pitt and Ms. Jolie might walk down the street and attend a panel or two? After all, everyone who's run across them in the Quarter says they're about as nice and down-to-earth as they possibly could be.

This would be a great idea for several reasons, not the least of which is that there aren't two better people to helm a remake of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Just the thought of her in a white slip and him in an undershirt would probably guarantee sold-out performances for months. (And they both can actually act, which I gather is optional for an "actor" these days.)

So...here's my offer. If you're reading, Angelina and Brad, I will personally pick up the cost of your panel passes if you want to walk up to the Historic New Orleans Collection on Thursday and take in Barry Gifford's master class (if there's room for you). Since tickets are $25 apiece, that's a $50 value.

I will even buy one of you a T-shirt (you can decide which one of you wants it). Think about it.

Thu., Mar. 29
1:30 pm

"Barry Gifford: Translating Life to the Screen" (master class)
Historic New Orleans Collection