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Shelley Osterloh Reporting Michael York, the famed British actor and author, is in Salt Lake this weekend, to share his insights into the world of theater and entertainment.
The Salt Lake Film Center, the City Library, and the Utah Symphony & Opera are hosting Michael York this weekend. He says he enjoys talking to people, especially young people, about the theater and his favorite playwright, Shakespeare.
Michael York's movie and theater roles are expansive, from his early work in the 60's with Richard Burton in Taming of the Shrew, through films like Cabaret, the Three Musketeers, or the sci-fi classic, Logan's Run. Kids recognize him from the two Austin Powers movies. He says he always sought out different kinds of characters in film and on stage.
Michael York: “My philosophy is that you did everything because it was your career.”
This actor and author also enjoys working with children, so while in Salt Lake several of his lectures are to kids and aspiring actors.
Michael York: "To give them all those positive values that you have in the performing arts -- the discipline the self esteem, you name them they are numerous. Sports is very very important too, but the exercise of the imagination, I think, is equally important.”
As Chairman of the California Youth Theater, York encourages support for the arts.
Michael York, Public Service Announcement: "One issue that everyone claims is urgent, yet their response is apathetic, I'm talking about the arts. Please if you won’t support the arts then who will? Make it you."
York says the arts challenge people's sensibilities about life, and as Shakespeare points out:
Michael York Actor: "That mirror held up to nature that he talks about, understanding who we are, looking in a mirror, how society functions, how great moral values that are being examined and again just to have great laugh at very funny comedy."
Tonight at 7:00 Michael York speaks at the Salt Lake public Library. It is free and open to the public. Tomorrow there is a fund raising dinner with him before he attends a performance of Midsummer Night's Dream by the Utah Opera. And there’s a free showing of some of his films on Sunday.
