Happy World Theatre Day!

 

Last year on World Theatre Day, I went on (and on and on...) about what theatre meant to me. It was a lot of emotions all in one very long (some might say too long) post. All of those emotions are still so very true. Over the last few years, I've realized exactly what theatre has provided in my life. It's an outlet. It's a happy space that never fails to make me smile. Some friends adore concerts, while others love going to the movies. I on the other hand, can never turn down a day at the theatre. 

And all of these days and nights at the theatre have taught me so many lessons over the years. We all know the saying - Everything I know in life I learned in Kindergarten. Well in my life, I feel some of the most important lessons have been taught seeing shows that are meaningful to me in some way. So instead of rehashing and gushing on my love for the theatre, I thought I'd share some of these lessons and hopefully hear some of your lessons too.

Musical theatre is awesome...

Since Jesus Christ Superstar was the very first show I saw, I'd say it taught me this most important lesson. I mean added to the obvious lessons of the story of Jesus Christ, of course. Watching that movie (I first saw it on VHS, before having the chance to see it live), I was thoroughly in awe of this medium. Telling a story through music is, for some reason, so much more powerful to me than regular storytelling. I was a Catholic School girl, so I had obviously heard the story of Christ's last days many times before, but never had I been more affected by the emotion. It's simply beautiful and heartbreaking.

Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch

Live is always best...

Then of course, I finally got the chance to see a musical live in a Broadway theatre - Phantom of the Opera  - from the third row of the majestic Majestic theatre. Nothing - absolutely nothing - beats a live performance of a show. In this case, I can't imagine not witnessing the opulence and the beauty first hand. Never could I have imagined that a team of designers, actors and stagehands could produce such magic each and every night. 

Shakespeare actually knew what he was talking about...

I read a lot of Shakespeare in high school, and I have to admit I never once understood a single word the man said. My teachers would translate for us what he meant, and I'd sit there dumbfounded by what I was hearing. If he meant that, why didn't he just say that? Then I saw a production of Macbeth at Centerstage. And finally, the words made sense. Shakespeare on the page is incomprehensible. Shakespeare on the stage is breathtaking. That production turned the light on for me, but much later, I saw David Tennant at the RSC in Richard II and officially became a convert. I couldn't take my eyes off of the stage. The words that never made sense, came to life in front of my eyes and I was hooked. I've since seen productions of Hamlet (many times!), A Midsummer Night's Dream, Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing, and I sit there just as rapt as I was for Richard II. I now have this weird personal goal to see every play he wrote live. So far, I have a long ways to go...

I want to be in the room where it happens...

Theatre provides a very unique experience. Groups of people - actors, crew and audience members - experience one performance in a way that no other group will experience in the same way again. That's the beauty of it. And when a show comes along like Hamilton, or RENT, you simply must have that experience to really understand the magnitude of the material. I may not have had the pleasure of seeing Lin play Alexander, but I can't imagine never having the chance to see Chris Jackson sing "One Last Time" live on stage. I got goosebumps that stayed put to the end of the show. I know how lucky I am to have these experiences, and that's something I never take for granted.

An add-on to this is that sometimes, off-script is best. Being in the room where it happens, also means that you often witness disasters as well, but those disasters turn into a joyful shared experience. During my evening at The Robber Bridegroom, I witnessed a prop knife flung into the audience, as well as a leading man that could barely keep it together after his cast mate made him laugh. Steven Pasquale has a beautiful voice, and is an extreme talent, but his humor in the face of these moments made the audience love him that much more. That same weekend, in the midst of Jesse Tyler Ferguson playing 42 characters alone on a stage (Fully Committed), he was in the moment enough to make a joke when someone's phone went off in the audience. It was impressive to say the least! These moments are what makes theatre grand - even when it's not perfect, it's still fabulous!



Champions Adjust!

Some of the best experiences I've ever had in the theatre are tied so closely to the people I saw on those stages. The bestie and I have a constant debate on what makes good theatre. She thinks it's always the story. She will see a show based on whether she likes the storyline. I on the other hand, will see a show for a storyline, but even if I'm not crazy for the storyline, I'll see it for the actors playing the roles. Groundhog Day has never been a favorite of mine, but I knew I needed to see it with Andy Karl after his sheer tenacity to come back from what could have been a show-ending injury. I knew nothing about Falsettos but I knew what Christian Borle and Andrew Rannells would bring to those roles, and seeing that heartbreaker allowed me to discover Stephanie Block and Brandon Uranowitz. The Producers was to be wickedly raunchy, but I loved Nathan Lane and needed to see him up on that stage. Sweet Charity was ok but Sutton Foster was her usual amazing self. An Act of God was equally hilarious with Sean Hayes and Jim Parsons, even though both actor brought something different to the role of God.  And recently, Karen Olivo, Ramin Karimloo and Raul Esparza in Chess made the entire show. Without their sheer ability to carry that often confusing material, I would have been lost. Good actors make a show for me, and I'm so happy to live so close to the city, to allow myself the chance to see them blow the roofs off the joints.

The real Captain Beverly Bass outside Come From Away

You found your heart, but left a part of you behind...

And sometimes the lessons are buried in the show themselves. In the case of Come From Away, I knew nothing about the show other than it was brand new, and about the aftermath of September 11. Sitting in that theatre, listening to this cast of characters sing an entire show centered on kindness and opening your heart to others made me cry all the happy tears. As a personal proponent of the kindness above all philosophy (I apparently was paying very close attention during the Golden Rule lesson in grade school) I was elated to hear this message. It's a message that's so needed in today's world, and I think that's why this show has done so well. Most everyone can respond to that message, and anyone who can't should be taught to. It's a beautiful show, and I adore everything about it. And this may be a shocking thing to say, that will surely get me sent to Theatre Jail, but I loved it more than Hamilton.... Let the debates begin!

Everyone deserves a chance to fly...

Wicked taught me to take chances and stand up for what is right. And those around you will affect the choices you make in good ways and bad. Additionally it taught me that nothing beats hearing Idina Menzel belt "Defying Gravity" in person, though "Defying Gravity" is also the perfect song to belt in your car with the windows down if you're having a bad day.

Happy endings happening by happenstance...

While Something Rotten! brought this live of musical theatre back to the surface full force, it was all of the musical theatre moments I've had that have really brought this point home. I have laughed until my stomach hurt and cried until my head ached. I've smiled from ear to ear, and jumped to feet applauding until my hands were sore. And I've enjoyed every moment. The very best lesson of them all is that there's always something good. Even a bad night at the theatre, can be good in some way. And I plan to continue seeking out these good moments for a very, very, long time. Because honestly....

There's nothing as amazing as a musical!