The Show Must Go On

The cast members of New Milford High School’s 2018 Curtains Musical are in it for real. Rehearsals seldom disappoint, and there’s always a note to improve on, a choreography to perfect. While learning the nuances of a play is tougher than it may seem, we all go through the hard together, and create the good while we can. The cast, the crew, the pit- every cog in the wheel plays an intrinsic role in the making of a true performance- one that’s as passionate and spirited as the people making the magic happen.

2/8/18

Today was a day full of twists and turns, literally. I have never danced before in my entire life, yet here I find myself- discoordinated and helpless, but at least with pointed toes. As I glance down at my phone to figure out the alto part for one of the show’s many numbers, I hear Sarah pestering someone for ice cream. We share ice cream a lot, but not today. Today is a dreary Thursday, and we have a lot of learning to do. Everyday I must show up with a certain amount of focus and self control, which becomes difficult when surrounded by some of my closest friends. A single pressing question riddles my mind: what if the show doesn’t come together? This is nonsense, but every year I wonder. Even in the last few days it appears as though we will never reach the level of prestige we hope to, but by some magic the show indeed does go on. I hear my name being called across the room between songs. It’s Colleen asking for a drink of water. I nod towards my water bottle and turn back. I’m tired. Aren’t we all? Balancing academics, work, swimming, and more importantly the musical seems upon closer thought a nearly impossible task. As a result, I fall victim to dark circles and frequent yawns. I don’t mind it though, the people make it worth it, they always do.

-Amelia

And as I laid on the stage at the end of today’s rehearsal, I at once felt a kind of weakness and a kind of strength. The stage has become a home for me now, one I never thought I would find. Rehearsals are tiring and frustrating at so many times- I feel like I won’t be able to dance the way that they say, sing the note that they want. It can be agonizingly difficult to learn the chords that we have, even after singing them in my head repeatedly back and forth. But, as the months begin to unravel, what seems impossible at first, ever so slowly, starts to seem accomplishable. I can do the dances- well, most of them. I can sing the correct chords now, and smile on stage at the just right times. My weakness is my fatigue. It will go away, I know it will. But my strength is foreseeing the good that will come out of this process. Being on the stage for even minutes at a time- with lights, and makeup, and tied back dresses on- we’ll all be on top of the world if we only own the moment, our moment, however fleeting. It excites me when I think of the littlest things that will move the audience more than anyone would’ve thought. Today is today, though. Tomorrow will be tomorrow. And it all starts with one (wobbly, incorrect) step at a time. Don’t they always say, “the journey is the best part of the destination”?

-Sarah

1/31/18

Right now is a time of observation. Compared to my disruptively talkative self, passing time this way causes me to receive many inquiries from peers. “Amelia, are you okay?”, they ask concernedly. But I don’t mind. Silence can a treasure. Michael Tarby (playing Frank Cioffi) and Duncan Edel (playing Daryl Grady) showcase their acting skills on stage during a small scene in act one. They hold themselves high and for a second you’d almost think they were performing for an audience. Behind me I hear a series of “oof”s. I swivel and spot Colleen (playing Bambi) and Liam (playing Bobby) practicing lifts for their Kansasland dance. They are graceful once they get the hang of what they’re doing. I turn back around and sink further into my Pouch Couch, blanket in hand. A group of girls warm up their vocals adjacent to me. They sound almost like that of soft sound birds, and their voice reminds me of a breezy summer morning. These are the moments that I feel somewhat inferior; I am merely an ensemble member in a cast of such great talent and splendor. As I sit here pondering, I recognize the warmth and humility of all of us. No one person acts superior to their neighbor, and the shared attitude of us all is that of understanding and kindness for our shortcomings- the ways that we are not enough or can at times be too much. The thought warms me. To be a part of something bigger than yourself, without yourself being big, well, I hope everyone can live to endure such a thing.

-Amelia

1/20/18

This year’s show, Curtains, is a mystery to most. When I first heard the announcement of what the show would be, I didn’t know what to expect. With over 100 people auditioning, and around 50 people for a cutoff.. I was uncertain if I would be good enough to make it. Two sleepless nights, and then out came the cast list. I remember seeing my name, a heavy weight slowly releasing off my chest. The first rehearsal came, and too many laughs, and shared jokes with it. It felt good to be back. I knew it would be no Mary Poppins, and no Step in Time tapping fun, but it would be an adventure of its own. I asked my good pal Sunita what she thought of this year’s musical. She responded and said, “Everything is new, and is scary in a good way.. It makes learning that much more exciting.” It is now the end of January, and we’ve somehow gotten through the entire Act 1. I didn’t think we could do it in one month, but we did. And that only means one thing: two more months until opening night…and all the times I’ve hugged my senior and junior friends tight, will be worth it all in the end. Thank God for the people who do more than cheer me up when I’m down. Whether it’s pancakes after rehearsal, or super quick Taco Bell runs during a break at rehearsal, I’ve never experienced memories greater with such genuine people like them. So for the two more months we have left, I know that there will be hard nights, but there will be fun memories scattered in between. Right before we pull back the curtains and hear the audience cheer…...

-Sarah