At last night’s annual fundraiser for storytelling powerhouse the Moth, the superstars of the world of the narrative celebrated and gave their support. We asked each the same question: “What will be the opening line of your next memoir, real or imaginary?”
“If you know me, please don’t read this.”
Jonathan Ames, essayist, HBO character
“I was completely unprepared for this.”
Sarah Jones, playwright
“Thank God for my two families, my original and my present.”
Albert Maysles, documentary filmmaker
“I am sitting in a Starbucks trying to fill the page so they’ll pay me.”
Mike Birbiglia, comedian and author
“I wish I’d never gotten involved with storytelling.”
George Dawes Green, novelist and founder of the Moth
“It was on Labor Day, lying on a massage table with a woman squeezing my glutes and talking about Jesus, when I realized that I was suffering a stroke.”
Garrison Keillor, Prairie Homesteader
“This is an ambush and I’m outraged.”
Tony Hendra, satirist, Ian Faith
“57 and not getting any taller.”
Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys
“There are the things we can see and the things we can’t.”
Jennifer Stein, poet and writer
“Let’s see, where was I…”
Tommy Tune, Broadway director and choreographer
“My name is Adam Wade, and I’m originally from New Hampshire.”
Adam Wade, Moth GrandSlam Winner
“Everything changed once I was able to hold two ideas in my head at the same time: that life wasn’t fair and that I was really lucky to be here.”
Ed Gavagan, Moth GrandSlam Winner
Photographs of Jonathan Ames (top) and Garrison Keillor by Sarah Stacke.
1. A surprise set from melodic and heartfelt indie-rock power duo Mates of State is the perfect lead-in to a night of comedy from stand-up’s most endearing talent, Mike Birbiglia; both are the performance equivalent of friendly hugs.
What we’re doing tonight: