R.I.P Terry Teachout

I’ve just learned from Ted Gioia that my friend, writer, author and playwright Terry Teachout passed away this morning. I’m deeply saddened. He was a one-of-a-kind artist, excellent at everything he did. I didn’t always agree with him, but our conversations and e-mail exchanges were always enlightening and wonderful. I loved it when he liked something I wrote, as his standards were very high.

He left so much unsaid, and this alerts us to the idea that time is precious and we shouldn’t put off the projects that need to be completed. His life should inspire us to continue to explore the many performance art forms, and share the love of them through our own creative work, writing and teaching. I began a tribute to Stephen Sondheim on this platform, and I need to complete it. This series will be dedicated to my friend, who loved Sondheim very much.

The following is hardly a secret, as he used to write about it on various platforms. After an unsuccessful marriage, he met Hilary, who was his soulmate. Unfortunately, Hilary had medical issues, and Terry helped her fight as hard as she could, but she eventually left us. He was devastated for months. Happily he met someone new and was in love again, but it was clear that he would always miss Hilary.

I know they are together again.

When someone I know leaves us, I always tell people to reach out to those who you love, and tell them so. We don’t say “I love you” often enough.