Where Boston leads, beloved “Gilmore Girls” actress Lauren Graham will follow: The Wilbur marks the first sold-out stop of her “Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember” book tour on Nov. 14.
Graham has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with her iconic portrayal of Lorelai Gilmore in the beloved TV series “Gilmore Girls.” However, her talents extend far beyond the fictional town of Stars Hollow, as she’s made a significant mark on the entertainment industry with her acting prowess and forays into producing, writing, and directing.
As Graham embarks on her “Have I Told You This Already?” tour, fans can expect a dose of her trademark humor and a glimpse into her multifaceted career and unwavering connection with her audience.
Graham’s book details how she transcends the confines of her role as an actress, inspiring countless aspiring artists who aspire to follow in her footsteps. Graham has emerged as a storyteller of remarkable depth, not only on the screen but also on the page.
During a recent interview with the Beacon, Graham revealed her evolution from being an avid reader to delving into the depths of the entertainment industry and embracing her role as an author about to begin her tour.
“I’ve now had experience in various ways of being a writer, all of which I have enjoyed, learned from, and practiced,” she said.“The one that I was surprised by the most was the essay form that I did with ‘Talking As Fast As I Can’.”
In this collection of personal essays, Graham embarks on a heartfelt exploration of life, the complexities of love, and the distinct hurdles faced when navigating the entertainment industry as a female professional. Navigating Boston as the first tour stop, Graham brings a new perspective on her life while emphasizing her past in the industry.
“Hopefully, you read the book, and maybe you hear a voice if you’re familiar with my work, but if you don’t get it, it doesn’t get in your way,” she said. “It’s fun for me to look back. I’m never really writing about the current day. I think it’s easier to have perspective looking back.”
Graham’s latest work, “Have I Told You This Already?” was born during the pandemic and is a heartfelt labor of love, creativity, and enthusiasm. What sets Graham’s writing apart is that it feels like a warm embrace. She particularly relishes crafting essays because it allows her to refine the structure, which she readily acknowledges as her least favorite aspect of more extensive fiction projects.
“In this bite-sized form, it’s entertaining because an idea comes to me in titles,” Graham said. “A few titles kept floating around, and it’s almost that feeling that you can let them float, and eventually they’ll leave, or you try to pin them down. With fiction, I have to start with at least the beginning, middle, and end.”
While the essay format of her recent release allows her to play with the structure and explore her creativity, Graham’s ambitions extend to filmmaking, similar to how she approaches creating fiction in her books.
Graham shares her enthusiasm for directing movies and how it aligns with her desire to create a harmonious environment on set. Her passion for filmmaking underscores her dedication to storytelling—not only through the written word but also through the visual medium. Graham directed a season two episode of “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” for Disney+, stating that fans can anticipate/expect more directing in her future.
“Two things that got delayed by the strike were both projects I was attached to direct. Hopefully, that is coming.” Graham said. “I loved that experience for all the reasons I hoped I would love directing, which is helping everyone be their best and being in service to that, and being aware of all the years I’ve done this of what kind of set I want to make—a safe place for everybody to do their best job and an appreciation for what every department does. You can only create something good with every piece coming together.”
Graham’s upcoming book tour is a concerted endeavor to unite all her literary works. She’s prepared to engage in discussions about her publications, offering fans and followers a fresh perspective on her literary passion and skills.
“The tour came from never having been able to do it before. I’ve done 92nd Street New York several times. I did it with one of my best friends, Sam,” she said. “With Sam, it felt like because he’s entertaining, we have stories we can tell together. He knows me well. So I’m bringing him with me to all of these evenings, and it’s going to evolve as it goes.”
Graham’s Nov. 14 Boston book tour stop, much like “Gilmore Girls,” is bound to be filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable moments. The show is guaranteed an extra layer of intimacy as Graham is no stranger to Boston.
“Specifically in Boston, I was thinking about how I spent a lot of time there, especially in college,” she said. “My thoughts about Boston, my time there, is there a Boston story that would be fun? You know I’m building it, so it’s evolving.”
From Boston and beyond, Graham is evolving her talents and telling stories she is sure you haven’t heard her say before. As she continues to grace our screens and steal our hearts, her work remains a testament to the power of storytelling, the magic of connection, and the enduring appeal of a good cup of coffee.
