My mom is here for the week, her first trip to New York City since she and I visited the city with my aunt when I was a teenager. So far, we've taken her for some New York pizza, shown her Grand Central Station, Times Square, the UN, you know...usual touristy stuff. During my acting class this morning, she explored midtown Manhattan armed only with her camera and a couple maps. She witnessed the raising of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and one of the workers lifting and anchoring it in place gave her a piece of branch from the tree! (No joke!)
Since my mother has never seen a Broadway show, we decided to catch a matinee yesterday. Lots of shows on Broadway hold what is called a ticket lottery outside the box office before each show. Patrons show up 90 minutes to 2 hours before curtain and write their names on an index card. Box office staff will then place all the index cards into a hat or drum and draw out several at random. If your name is drawn, you can purchase up to 2 tickets at a deeply discounted price.
Anyway, of all the available Wednesday matinee ticket lotteries, Wicked was mom's top pick. Wicked being a VERY popular show, I worried that the number of lottery participants would greatly reduce our chances of getting picked. Still, we showed up at the box office at 11:30 a.m. and both put our names in the drum. There were probably at least 100 people there, not very good odds. Still, wouldn't you know it, they drew my name! We were able to buy 2 front row tickets for $26.25 each! (Regular price orchestra tickets were going for around $110.)
I must admit...I did not have a huge desire to see Wicked. The show had been so hot for so long, and nearly every musical theater friend I know RAVED about it. Teenage girls obsessed over it. At nearly every recital I participated in as a voice student of my brother-in-law, one of his other students was singing a song from it. I sometimes have a tendancy to shy away from the latest big thing that everybody else loves. (I did not start reading Harry Potter until the last book had been published, if that tells you anything.)
So imagine my surprise. I loved it! It was clever. It was fun and engaging, humorous and touching. The sets and effects were incredibly impressive. The music was great. Most of all, I was blown away by the vocal talent. The actresses playing Glinda and Elphaba were both amazing singers...technical prowess, beautiful tone color, precision and freedom of expression all at once. I can't even think of any more words to describe it. Wow!
The whole experience was inspiring. I had been feeling a little lost lately. Not doubting my dream or second guessing my ability...just feeling a little out of place among my classmates on a social level. I'm the oldest student in class (as far as I know), the only one married and just in a different place in my non-acting life than the rest of my classmates. Don't get me wrong, my classmates are all very nice. I had just been feeling like I don't fit in.
Wicked lifted me up. It reminded me why I am really here. I'm not here to make 20 new best friends. (Again, not a personal attack on my wonderful and talented classmates.) I'm here to grow as an artist. I'm here to go after the dream. I'm here to do this for myself, to feel like I am accomplishing something, getting one step closer to contributing to my and Jeremy's livelihood by doing something I love, feeling happier with myself, which can only make me a better wife, daughter and friend to the ones I alreday have and cherish. After telling myself that and finally believeing it, I went to class this morning and for the first time actually did feel like I belonged, like I had a place in the group.
So, thanks Wicked! Thanks for giving me a little kick in the ass. I needed that.
Now...I need to find a NY voice teacher and get back to work! I have a new dream role!
