Stage Writes
The Official Stage Rights Blog
I'm Glad My Son Fell for Stage Crew
Though I initially pictured him in the spotlight, I'm glad he found his calling backstage.
The author's son onstage at Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 with ensemble member Ashley Perez Flanagan. (Photo courtesy of the author.)
In high school I played an Angel in Anything Goes. I vividly recall wearing my mother's retro, form-fitting, olive green, sleeveless gown with baby-pink detailing. I felt like a showgirl prancing about, strutting my stuff. Although singing was not my strength, I adored the glitz and the glam of the whole experience. And the applause! What an absolute high.
Of course, like many an adolescent thespian, I didn't pursue performing as a career. But my enthusiasm for theatre never waned. Instead of treading the boards, I kept my hand in the biz as a critic, marketer, and producer, with the Tony-nominated Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 marking my first Broadway co-producing gig.
And yet I still had performing aspirations -- not for me, but for my son. Not only did I fantasize about sharing my love of theatre with him, taking him to shows and playing him all of my original cast recordings, but I also imagined watching him on stage (in school at least), and proudly cheering him on.
Click here for the full article on TDF.org published by Robin Gorman Newman on May 3, 2017.