The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir

Bishop and stagehand Peter Miller married in 1970. In retrospect, the author realizes that, like her mother, she had internalized “the curse of spinsterhood” (67). Peter turned out to be addicted to gambling, and he stole from her to pay his debts.

A series of small speaking parts in Broadway shows fueled Bishop’s desire to take on bigger roles. However, she was concerned that she did not possess a good singing voice. Her confidence grew after watching Elaine Stritch in the musical Company. Although Stritch was not a natural singer, she gave a stunning performance. Bishop began to turn down chorus dancing jobs, waiting for acting opportunities.

Bishop’s friend, the choreographer Bob Herget, asked her to audition for the role of Anita in a touring production of West Side Story on the East Coast. At the same time, Peter accepted a stagehand job on a two-month touring production. Despite Peter’s gambling and infidelities, Bishop was reluctant to admit her marriage was a failure. Giving up the possibility of playing Anita, she instead accompanied Peter on tour. Tired of explaining to Peter that she did not want children, Bishop lied to him, claiming she had stopped taking her birth control pills.