Tribute to a Friend - Creating the Character of ElizabethJennifer Lentz Memorial Page
Tribute to a Friend - Creating the Character of Elizabeth
See how my late friend Jennifer influenced the character of Elizabeth in the stage and film version of Tuxedo Joe.
"You'll always be my baby brother..."
This is just one of many endearing phrases from a young lady who continues to be one of the most influential people in my life.
Jennifer was the true embodiment of a best friend. Although my time with her was limited to five short years, those years produced enough memories to last a lifetime and so many of them I can still vividly recall.
Then again, that's the kind of effect Jen had on those who knew her. You remember the smallest of details because time spent with Jen was time you did not want to see come to an end. She was beautiful, vivacious, caring, cheerful, loyal, genuinely sincere and equally devilish. If you were fortunate enough to be among her group of friends, you experienced her endless charm and delightful personality on a daily basis.
My first trip to the movies with Jen resulted in me forgetting most of the film because the two of us spent our time throwing candy at each other and thoroughly annoying fellow patrons throughout the entire showing. It is equally hard to forget the marching band bus trips that followed because whenever I found myself sharing a seat with her I was either slapped repeatedly on the forehead or received a thunderous BLAP from her trumpet directly in my ear.
What made her so unique, and perhaps what I remember most, was the love she had for her friends. If she loved you, it was unconditional. Though she was not always one to express herself verbally, her actions spoke volumes. With her, it was never hard to see the bright side of anything. Her comfort and support got me through many a high school heartbreak over the years. That was her gift.
Losing Jen was a devastating experience and all of us who knew her agreed that someone extraordinary was taken from our lives entirely too soon. My biggest regret is that she has not seen so much of what she encouraged me to do when we spent those countless hours discussing our hopes and dreams for the years to come.
It was only a matter of time before her lively spirit would work its way into a story. Through the character of ELIZABETH GATES in Tuxedo Joe, I am thrilled that audiences can get an idea of what it was like to know her. And thanks to the wonderful talents of my close personal friend Jenna McBreen, I was able to revisit many moments, good and bad, that Jennifer and I had over the years. It was an extraordinary, personal healing I'll never be able to fully describe.
I believe Jen as an adult would be the same as she was at 17; a bright, beautiful and intelligent woman with both feet on the ground and a strong head on her shoulders who could accomplish anything she set her mind to. Most of all, she would still be one of the best friends anyone could possibly want in their lives.
It has been 16 years since I have had to say goodbye to this wonderful young lady whom I loved so dearly but I have never forgotten her. I can truly say I am a better person because she was part of my life.