The atmosphere in the theatre bursts with excitement and expectation
as we wait for the curtain to go up. When I am sitting in the audience and the lights go down and the
performance begins, I am a happy woman.
I’m geared up to
see the play or the musical, but also I’m beyond curious about how the company will
make us suspend belief and be present with them in the story. That goes for
student or teacher-written school plays and local theatre as well as professional
offerings.
While in high
school, I was bitten by the theatre bug. I ushered at the Detroit Institute of
Arts when it was an occasional venue for plays. I remember being captivated by Lorraine
Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, a play about a black Chicago family that the
New York Times said, “changed American theatre forever.”
On my first trip
to London in the late 1980s, a friend and I stood in a long line at Leicester
Square’s Half-Price Ticket Booth our second day in town. We didn’t know what plays
might be available when we arrived at the window, but we didn’t care. They had
tickets for Blood Brothers, a musical, playing at the Noel Coward Theatre. We’d
never heard of it but were thrilled just to be going. The actors and the story of
fraternal twins, separated at birth, who fell in love with the same woman, drew
me in immediately.
We’d had such incredible good luck with this venture that we
headed back to the Half-Price Ticket Booth as soon as we left the theatre, eager
to see what tickets we could get for that evening. Other memorable performances
filled the rest of the week.
Over the years, I’ve
seen dozens of Broadway touring productions and supported local theatre in
Bakersfield and in Coos Bay. Attending the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland,
Oregon, several different summers has added to my delight. Anticipating the
coming of The Book of Mormon in Los Angeles last fall, Judy and I bought our
tickets six months in advance.
I've witnessed electrifying,
costuming, staging, and acting. But, the most outstanding has to be
The Lion King. Four of us friends settled back in great center seats in the Las Vegas theatre. The
overture began and the stage lit up. Soon the entire cast began to make their
way down the aisles from the back of the theatre. Surrounded by the grandeur
and majesty, the joy and the singing, a lump rose in my throat. When the elephant and her baby came into view, I couldn't hold the tears back any longer. I glanced down the row at my friend Marilyn. At the same
time, she looked toward me. There we were, the two of us, struck by the beauty,
filled to overflowing, wiping our eyes, wanting to see more. It was an
unmatchable, goose bump-erupting moment.
What I love about
live theatre is that it shows me myself and the world, truths and dreams. It
moves me, tickles me, teaches me, and makes me think. Theatre makes me sing. Never
mind that I’m a bit off key.
~
xoA ~
Sounds like an awesome experience. My daughter was very involved with theater during high and one of her majors in college was Theater. She's written and directed a play, which of course this proud Mom thought was fantastic! She doesn't get to do much with her talent now, though she still enjoys sitting in the audience whenever possible. Through her we learned to love theater too.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful, Sandy, how the love of something like theatre can be transmitted. Congratulations to your daughter on her success as an actor and playwright. And, thank you for commenting. xoA
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like live theatre. I remember the first time my parents took me as a kid...Phantom of the Opera. Wow! Your description of those moments just before the play starts is spot-on! I try to go to plays (usually musicals) on a semi-regular basis. I would go more often if it weren't so expensive! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt has gotten pretty expensive alright. But, whenever we can treat ourselves (or find half-price or discounted tickets), going to the theatre is a marvelous and uplifting way to spend an afternoon or an evening. Thanks, Anna, for your encouraging comment. xoA
ReplyDeleteI love live theater. I was fortunate to have a dad that loved plays. He took me to "Fiddler on the Roof" when I was young. I had the pleasure of seeing four plays on Broadway when I was in high school and many more through the years. I love musicals. One of my favorites is "Oklahoma".
ReplyDeleteIt's been a few years since I've been, and I would love to go again.
You really were lucky to be able to attend the theatre when you were younger. And to see some on Broadway! Wow, Joan. Thanks for your time and comments. xoA
DeleteThanks Annis for another wonderful window in to the things that you love. I like the theater too.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for taking the time to let me know. xoA
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