Let’s Talk 10: Randy McKay
Illustration by Kiara Sanders
Carolina Theatre’s new CEO Randy McKay enters stage right:
What trait do you most appreciate in others? Honesty tempered with compassion -- you always know where you stand, but don't feel terrible about it.
Do you believe in UFOs? I believe that there is a lot we don't understand about our world and our universe. Could there be intelligent life out there somewhere? Maybe. Would they be smart enough to stay away from us? Undoubtedly. Unless maybe they wanted to hear "Amor Eterno..."
What is a song you never grow tired of? This is a tough question to ask of a music-hound. Maybe Phil Collins' "Find A Way To My Heart," or Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind," or the B-sides of early Madonna singles, or any ABBA song ever. But really, anything from Tina Turner, Celia Cruz, or Andrea Boccelli. The song that always hits me straight in the heart is Rocio Durcal's "Amor Eterno."
Favorite snack? Ok, no fair question. Potato chips have to be up there. So is cheesecake. But in my defense, so are edamame and raw almonds and kale smoothies--and sushi from Harris Teeter. But in all honesty, who needs snacks when you live in food heaven here in Durham? There's always something better to eat right around the corner.
The spookiest movie of all time? Though I head the Carolina Theatre, home of the Nevermore Film Festival, one of the top horror film festivals in the world, I flip out at scary films. The sandworm episode in Buck Rogers traumatized me as a kid, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" terrified me a few years later. But "The Blair Witch Project" was probably the spookiest thing I've ever seen -- especially with the real-life documentary vibe and the "true story" hype of its premiere.
If you could shop for free at one store, which one would you choose? Well since most record stores are a thing of the past, that's not as tough a question as it used to be... Does a travel agency count? Do those still exist? Can we travel yet?
Discovery or realization during the pandemic? A little of both I'd say -- It's been a time of self-discovery when you're forced to slow down and isolate from family and friends. And from that came a number of changes in our life -- including a cross-country move to Durham. And brushing up on old hobbies, skills, and passions that the routine of daily life had set aside. But largely, this moment in time has taught me a lot about what is important to me in my life and in my work and focused my actions on both.
Who would play you in a movie of your life? Well, I flatter myself that it would be Matt Damon or someone. But probably it would be a local acting student doing his graduation thesis project, and I'm ok with that.
What's the wildest thing that happened to you? I've met celebrities, nearly drowned, gotten lost in foreign countries, restored multiple historic theaters, moved cross-country during a pandemic, and almost been struck by lightning. But probably the wildest thing that sticks in my memory was living through the eruption of Mount St Helens: day turned to the darkest of night instantly, sand and rock fell from the sky, and blue lightening from static electricity cracked in the air.
What’s love? Got to do with it? I will always love you. All you need is love. I want to know what love is. It must have been love. Crazy little thing called love. Endless love. I just called to say I love you. Where is the love? Can you feel the love tonight? Amor eterno.
Support your local theater:
