My friend reminded me today of “Aftershocks,” a beautifully written song from Next to Normal, that seemed quite appropriate to mention after experiencing the East Coast’s worst Earthquake since the 1940’s yesterday. The earthquake quite literally left me feeling shaken. Unexpectedly, the earthquake shook up my day and stirred up emotions, and today, I realized that this is a power theatre (when done well) also has.
Well executed plays and musicals can arouse audience’s emotions, making the audience feel something, and possibly, compel the audience to act in some way or another. Recently, I have fortunately been able to attend a number of well performed shows, including War Horse, Uncle Vanya and Wicked, that fit this description.
War Horse is an incredibly inspiring and moving play that really embodies the true meaning of hope. In fact, the slogan for the movie version directed by Steven Speilberg is "Hope Survives." I love this tagline. The play also depicts themes of love, determination, and courage. I left the play feeling like I had a new understanding of what true love is and what real hope looks like. This understanding reverberated within me long after the show had ended. Even today, almost two weeks later, I am still deeply touched by the story that unfolded before my eyes when I saw War Horse. To make the show even more poignant, there is exquisitely crafted musical numbers in the play. Every time the Song Woman, Song Man, or the Chorus sang, I got chills. The lyrics blend with the dialogue so well that I could argue this is more of a musical than a play. Either way, War Horse is a heartwarming story that will remain with you after the show ends.
Meanwhile, Uncle Vanya centers on the theme of “wasted life.” This provoked me to ponder what I am doing with my life and if I am making the right choices for how I live my life. Don’t we all strive to not waste our lives, but, instead, to find some sort of purpose or meaning that guides our lives and makes our lives worthwhile and valuable? This show confirmed my feelings that I need to take chances to uncover what I’m supposed to do with my life and to do my best to make the most of the time I am given here on Earth. Time is an incredibly valuable commodity in life, and it’s important to spend it wisely. Clearly, this show's after effects are still with me as well.
Another show that has impacted my life is Wicked. Based on the sold out shows and popularity of the phrase "defy gravity," I don't think I am alone. The show inspires me to follow my heart, reach for my dreams, and do my best to positively impact humanity. Those are excellant aftershocks to spread all over world. Apparently, enjoyable aftershocks equate to exceptional ticket sales.
Like earthquakes, theatre can cause aftershocks even if the main event has already finished. Many shows have influenced my life and made me who I am today. I am thankful for those experiences as their aftershocks have not only affected my past but will continue to shape my future.
~ LBD
Musical Quote of the Moment: “The memories will wane, the aftershocks remain...They moved me from your memory, I'm still there in your soul. Your life goes back to normal now, or so they all believe. Your heart is in your chest again, not hanging from your sleeve...The memories are gone. The aftershocks live on." ~ Next to Normal
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
No Day But Today
As you may have guessed, I have visited New York City to see the new, Off-Broadway production of Rent. Not only did the show give me chills (it was incredible!), but the show's themes of love and taking advantage of the time you have in life really resonated with me. I saw one of the last casts of the Broadway production, the National Tour (sadly without Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal), and the film version of the show, but none of them moved me as much as this intimate, intense, and inspiring production.
Matt Shingledecker (Roger) recently said in an interview, "The true meaning of 'No Day But Today'...is about living life to the fullest...and it's about love and it's about just having a positive attitude in life." Our time on Earth is limited. As the show wisely proclaims, "forget regret or life is yours to miss." Those words hit me like a ton of bricks, but in a good way. I am starting the process of chasing after my dream. It's scary, but nothing has ever felt so right. Pursuing my dream to work in the world of theatre is my way of living life to the fullest so that I don't have regrets or fears holding me back from living every day as if it were my last.
Moreover, theatre is my passion. I love it. I had he pleasure of attending Marc Kudisch's Cabaret, What Makes Me Tick, during which he sang an encore: "Awake My Soul" by Mumford and Sons. Part of the song really stuck out to me: "where you invest your love, you invest your life." It's time for me to invest my life in my love - theatre. Life's too short to not at least try.
Lastly, while I'm on the topic of Rent, Adam Chanler-Berat (Mark) mentioned that Rent "redefines what we think of as wealth and I think...really the richness is...in the love that we have each other and...the communities that we make together." Love is the greatest gift we can receive. I love my friends and family, but theatre will always have a special place in my heart too. As theatre is a communal experience, I receive so much from each show I see. It brings me (and hopefully countless others) joy. During "La Vie Boheme," Mark explains, "the opposite of war isn't peace - it's creation," and theatre creates something in a moment of time that can never be replicated. It's of the moment and when it's over, you can't rewind the tape. Theatre provides me with experiences that enrich my life, and for that, I am truly grateful.
~ LBD
Musical Theatre Quote of the Moment: "To days of inspiration...making something out of nothing, the need to express - to communicate..." ~ Rent
Matt Shingledecker (Roger) recently said in an interview, "The true meaning of 'No Day But Today'...is about living life to the fullest...and it's about love and it's about just having a positive attitude in life." Our time on Earth is limited. As the show wisely proclaims, "forget regret or life is yours to miss." Those words hit me like a ton of bricks, but in a good way. I am starting the process of chasing after my dream. It's scary, but nothing has ever felt so right. Pursuing my dream to work in the world of theatre is my way of living life to the fullest so that I don't have regrets or fears holding me back from living every day as if it were my last.
Moreover, theatre is my passion. I love it. I had he pleasure of attending Marc Kudisch's Cabaret, What Makes Me Tick, during which he sang an encore: "Awake My Soul" by Mumford and Sons. Part of the song really stuck out to me: "where you invest your love, you invest your life." It's time for me to invest my life in my love - theatre. Life's too short to not at least try.
Lastly, while I'm on the topic of Rent, Adam Chanler-Berat (Mark) mentioned that Rent "redefines what we think of as wealth and I think...really the richness is...in the love that we have each other and...the communities that we make together." Love is the greatest gift we can receive. I love my friends and family, but theatre will always have a special place in my heart too. As theatre is a communal experience, I receive so much from each show I see. It brings me (and hopefully countless others) joy. During "La Vie Boheme," Mark explains, "the opposite of war isn't peace - it's creation," and theatre creates something in a moment of time that can never be replicated. It's of the moment and when it's over, you can't rewind the tape. Theatre provides me with experiences that enrich my life, and for that, I am truly grateful.
~ LBD
Musical Theatre Quote of the Moment: "To days of inspiration...making something out of nothing, the need to express - to communicate..." ~ Rent
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