Have You Seen This Theatergoer? Actor Seeks Out Good Samaritan

Actor Claybourne Elder, currently featured in The Public Theater’s Road Show, is getting into the spirit of Thanksgiving by seeking out a good Samaritan who gave him a surprising gift two years ago, when the performer was a struggling artist new to the city. Now enjoying his big New York stage debut, Elder would like to return the favor.

As he explained in a recent Fresh Face interview with Broadway.com, Elder had been in the city only a few months when he attended a performance of The Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, watching from the standing-room section of the theater. After the performance, Elder was approached by a fellow theatergoer one who enjoyed the show from a seat, who handed the aspiring actor a fistful of cash.

“He walked up to me and said, ‘You were standing there enjoying the show more than most people who were sitting and watching it. Here’s $150—go buy yourself a ticket to Sweeney Todd,’” Elder recalls. “I was so dumbfounded I barely said thank-you! I took a picture of the person, and now it’s the only memory I have of him. I would love to find him now and give him a ticket to my show.”

Elder currently stars alongside award-winning Sweeney cast members Michael Cerveris and Alexander Gemignani. He’s sharing his photo with his Broadway Samaritan in hopes of getting in touch with the stranger.

“He obviously wasn’t some hugely wealthy person; he was just this nice, theatergoing guy who probably came to New York as an actor at some point. I was totally blown away, and I’d just love to find him and say thank-you.”

If you are, or know, Elder’s gift-giver, contact kkaye@broadway.com.