If I remember correctly my very first live musical was Anything Goes. It was not on Broadway or at the Benedum. It was performed by students of McKeesport Area Senior High School. I was in 9th grade and the show would be my introduction to musical theater. I remember how gorgeous my peers looked in their costumes. I remember how lovely their voices sounded. I remember how, to me, the students were stars with as much talent as a Kristin Chenoweth or Matthew Morrison.
I still from time to time find myself humming "Blow Gabriel Blow" - the catchy number that got stuck in my head that night so long ago. Although I admired the students that participated in the musical, I knew that would never be me. I did not have the courage, singing talent or burning desire to be on the stage. It was something nice to think about, but not something that was meant for me. I did play in the orchestra pit during a Broadway review we did my senior year, but that was as close as I got.
I did get involved in theater during my college years. My roommate and I were on the stage crew for Cabaret and played inquisitors in Man of La Mancha. But the pinnacle of my senior year was playing my favorite Disney princess - before she was a princess - Snow White in Into the Woods. I came on during the final scene, had one line (which consisted of a dramatic yawn and the words excuse me), and danced in the final number with my prince. Not much, but enough to satisfy any yearning I had to be on the stage.
I have seen quite a few musicals, both professional and high school productions. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing the curtain rise, hearing the overture and knowing you are about to escape reality, for a short time, and enter into a world where characters sing through their problems, dance through their disappointment and live happily ever after.
This weekend, my son played in the orchestra pit for his high school musical. The cast and crew had been preparing for months. Those in the orchestra had done most of their preparation solo, but for the past few weeks they had rehearsals every weekday evening. I was so excited to see the show on opening night and hear all the instrumental parts come together. While the actors and actresses tell the story, the orchestra drives the plot and sets the tone as each scene unfolds.
I must confess, I saw the show multiple times. I wanted to see how each performance was different. I wanted to catch the little nuances that only someone familiar with the show would catch. Yes, I was a musical groupie and I didn't care.
There were a few kids in the musical I have known since they were in kindergarten. It was a strange feeling to see these young men and women, who have blossomed before my very eyes, on stage. I felt a sense of pride and of course, sadness. Sadness that these kids are not little anymore, sadness that in a few years they will graduate and sadness that I am getting old-er. But enough of that.
Everyone involved in the show did a wonderful job and I am sad that it is over. Yes, it was a busy couple of weeks with drop offs and late pick-ups but I would do it all again and hopefully I will do it again three more times before my son graduates. Even if he stays true to his DNA and does not set foot on the stage during his high school years, I am so proud that he is a member of the pit crew.
If you have the opportunity to support your school district's musical - please do. There is so much preparation that goes into these shows. There is so much the audience doesn't see - the fundraisers, the rehearsals, the set/costume design - all for one weekend. There is so much local talent tucked away in our schools and who knows, maybe some of them will make it to the Great White Way. But even for those that don't, the lessons learned about dedication, team work and perseverance will come in handy on that journey we call life that when set to music, becomes a little bit sweeter.
Snow White and Goldilocks
Into The Woods UPJ 1996
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