A brilliant evening

Last night I attended the opening night of the musical theatre production of Seussical at Stellys High School. Silas, my 16 year old grandson, played General Genghis Kahn Schmitz who was a Who. I watched him (and all the kids) come alive. He sung. He danced. He acted out his very strange part as if General Genghis Kahn Schmitz was a thing…a real thing.

I recommend Seussical to everyone and anyone for its brilliant treatment of childhood/teenage concerns. We are often so pedantic and teachy and tedious with kids. This production reminds us to be creative and colourful and humorous even if the issues are challenging.

The most exceptional part, of what was a brilliant evening for me, happened after the show. The cast came out from behind the curtain and mingled with the audience. Their hearts were so, so, so full. Their smiles were so, so, so genuine. Their bodies were so, so, so bold and confident.

If we are our experiences, and I believe that is all we are, then after last night those kids will never be the same. Their high school drama gig will always be a light within them.

A note of amazement!!!

Forty-five kids took part in staging the show. Twelve kids played in the orchestra (for 2 hours straight). Twenty-three kids were in the cast. Then there was the teacher support—director, choreographer, music director and conductor, set design and construction, vocal coach, program, media… Then there was community support for things I haven’t thought about yet.

Be mindful folks when you criticize schools. Be slow when you judge teenagers. Take a break from the bleak, nasty critique that is so common in our world. There is so much wonderful happening.