So there is this whole spiel that I told in my cabaret about how I discovered theater. The short version is my Grandma took me to see Les Miserables on Broadway on my fourteenth birthday. That was it. I was bitten. That is exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to sing depressing belt ballads…hysterical.
My first opportunity to show off my voice (that popped out from nowhere) was a Phantom of the Opera concert. I was playing Christine along with 3 other girls! I got to sing “Think of me” as a trio with my best friend Lisa Hobson, and my biggest high school crush Christopher Robin Burgess.
I wore a gorgeous green velvet ball gown. I wore my hair up and cleverly disguised the bald patches that came from a disastrous home perm with jeweled barrettes and green feathers. I forgot to bring the appropriate shoes, so I went barefoot. I took my place on stage. I was singing the second verse, Lisa the first. I could hear her pretty voice. She was nearing the end of her verse.
Erik (my second biggest high school crush) turned to me and said “It’s almost time.” Without looking at him I murmured “I know.” I had this odd sense of calm. I floated out to my spot and sang my verse. I was so happy and sure of myself. Even with bald spots, bare feet, and it being my first solo of my life, I was fearless. I didn’t know squat about supporting or breathing or intentions or objectives or body language or focus points or love or loss or ANYTHING.
All I knew was that I was home. I was happier in that moment than I had been in my life up until that point. I felt lucky and grateful to be on stage that night.
I would like to ask the theater Gods to give me just a touch of the pure joy that I felt that night from time to time. That’s why we do this.
All my love and wishes,
Harmony
