What might it be like to learn how to curse from a pro, a famous movie star no less, one who has invited herself to move into your family’s home without actually stepping on a welcome mat. If your name is Chris Fuller, you know exactly how it felt because you lived it, four letter words and all. And to think you were only four years old at the time.
The actress Bette Davis not only gave Chris Fuller his first indoctrination in the colorful world of curse words, she inadvertently set him on a life long course loving the game of golf. The fact that she beat him did nothing to dissuade him from his obsession for the game. His dad fueled that sports passion and encouraged it to grow, until he died when Chris was only eight. By age 12, Chris was competing competitively and he went on to participate in tours such as The New England Golf Tour and the Pepsi Tour. His goal, however, was always the prestigious PGA Tour.
For Chris, overcoming timing and swings, sand traps and putting, were all complicated by a diagnosis of Bipolar Mental Disorder that set challenging obstacles directly in his path. With honesty and openness, Chris has fashioned a revealing look inside himself, willingly revealing what is in the golf bag he carries so heavily around the course with him. In an original one man play, directed by Mark S. Graham, now renamed “Cheese Fries and Chili Dips,” he tells his personal story that is one of the highs and lows, twists and turns of a roller coaster ride.
Chili dips are short shots that hit the ground before your club hits the ball, much like the way Chris often feels his game fails him. Tonight he will perform at the Lucille Lortel Barn at the Westport Country Playhouse at 7:30 p.m., with a pre-show party at 6:30 p.m.
With the support of the International Mental Health Foundation and of The Golf Performance Center, Chris will become seventeen different people who influenced him along his often difficult journey, from his golf coach Mike, his mother and step father, people who believe in Buddhism and ballet, and even Martha Stewart, with projections to illustrate the high and low points.
With self deprecating humor, Chris deals with jittery zombie nerves, depression, medication, frustration, and trying to stay centered as his problems follow him through a series of jobs like being an Uber driver, working at Five Guys, selling insurance, being a bug inspector, all while trying to find himself and a career. He even wore a Cheese Fry costume as a restaurant mascot, but no matter what he did he always felt like a Humpty Dumpty getting ready to fall.
Now that Chris has mastered writing his storytelling in such a revealing and seriously sensitive humorous fashion, a movie of his life is in the works. Watch closely for details about this exciting future event. His message is “You can do anything so never give up!” Go to www.intlmentalhealth.org for more information. Let Chris inspire you to tackle life’s problems and develop your talents as opportunity offers you a hole-in-one shot. Don’t be afraid to Swing!
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