WOW! How time flies! It’s hard to believe a week has gone by since my last posting here, it has been ONE busy week and what a week it has been!
I’ve been at the theatre a lot and first off I’d like to say the Grease music is sounding REALLY good. Cheryl is working the kids hard to get the harmonies and incredible falsettos right on the money, you will be impressed. They will sound just like you have turned back the hands of time and are enjoying a bee-bopping juke box in the local burger shoppe as ’57 Chevy’s cruise up and down the street just past the roller-skating car hops. Many musical moments are being provided by Linda’s magic fingers on the piano, kudos again Linda for such devotion and superb playing!
OK, back to my headline, isn’t it just the truth sometimes? most times? I have been thinking about this a lot lately, maybe in light of the old saying ” Keep the drama on the stage”
As you most likely have figured out by now I sure do love theatre, why else can you possibly imagine I devote the time and energy I do to it.. the fabulous pay?? Over the majority of my adult life I have enjoyed so many aspects of community theatre life. I have met some real, let’s say “characters” and I don’t mean the ones on stage. I also more importantly have made some very special life-long friends. I feel I defined basically what a HUGE amount of what my life is going to have all been about.. wow, that even surprises me as kind of heavy… whew!
Some time ago I think I realized that the chances of me “getting to Broadway” were slim to none, wait.. I never thought about going in any case, a guy can still dream right?
I have tried to use all the talents I was born with to enhance productions and the total theatrical experience for our patrons from the moment they walk into the lobby, thru intermission and right into the car during the ride home.
I have never laughed so hard, so many times, over so many silly things! I have also shed many tears, as we have been forced to say good bye, forever, to so many of our friends. More tears have flowed as emotions and passions have ignited controversy and anguish over issues we have felt so deeply about.
I have been lucky to enjoy those moments on stage when something as simple as a raised eyebrow can make the audience explode in uncontrollable extended laughter. I have been proud as a director to stand in the back of the auditorium and watch and listen as 200 guests sit motionless and in total silence in their seats , even after 2 hours of show behind them as the suspenseful conclusion of a drama unfolds before their eyes.
I have been personally rewarded many times over when the curtain opens and I hear the gasps of the crowd and the spontaneous applause for a beautiful set. I have also lost so many countless hours of sleep as I have worked through the night to get it all done or perfect a detail, before the curtain rises, often working with a very small crew of just as crazy devotees.
I have had those “touch of fame” moments when walking through the grocery or drug store and I’ve been recognized as “weren’t you the guy with the big white rabbit?”
I have broken fingers building a set.
I have stopped my car along the curb on unlimited trash pick up day to fill my trunk with items just right for the latest set. I have been high on the fumes of permanent magic markers after hours of working on a custom project.
My blood pressure surely has soared as I took the stage on opening night, with only a few hours notice, to replace a hospitalized cast member.
I have sat at length staring at a membership list trying to find the volunteers needed to fill so many jobs.
I have totally lost my train of thought…. no seriously… as you can imagine I do have MUCH more to say on this subject but I have killed enough of your time for right now, just be warned there is more to come.
we all have a very strange case of love it / hate it when it comes to the theatre. For now , let’s leave today’s discussion in love it only mode.
enjoy and relish the magic moments,
make the best of your time everyday,
push yourself to the absolute best you can be,
learn something new,
think outside the norm,
greatness does not come easy,
help somebody,
thank somebody.
…and now, On With the Show !