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Director's Note

In March of 2020, I was set to direct Debut's annual musical revue, "Broadway NOW." After the pandemic hit, I wasn't sure what the next move would be. How could art survive a global pandemic? 

I was disappointed. For the cast, the crew, and production team. I was also disappointed for the families that look forward to escaping their troubles to watch a musical revue each year and donate to work towards a world without cancer. It seemed like right when we needed it most, art was gone. 

Although "Brodway NOW" wasn't performed for a live audience, the cast and crew worked together to give audiences a virtual musical experience. I was extremely proud of everyone's hard work on the show, but I knew the storm wasn't over just yet. People needed art more than ever, so how could we safely fill the live theatre sized hole in everyone's heart?

Fast forward to March of 2021, and my prayers had been answered. Somehow, I managed to find an outstanding team of performers and production members. We worked together three nights a week over Zoom for about two months. For tech week, we finally came together in person. We wore masks, got tested, quarantined, and socially distanced up until the moment the camera was rolling. While we didn't have a live audience, these performers gave it their all and didn't let the unprecedented atmosphere disturb them. 

There's a lot to be said for a group of artists who can face uncertainty head on and sit on a Zoom call together three nights a week. This cast worked for this art. They understood the gravity of giving people a place to laugh, a place to cry, and a piece of hope to weather this storm with. There's a lot of beauty in all of that. Even if it's being watched from the other end of a Zoom screen. 

I want to give a big "thank you" to my cast and crew. I've learned so much from them in just the few months we had working together. They taught me how to be a better leader. They taught me how to face uncertainty. They taught me how to keep my cool even when the going got tough. But most importantly, they taught me that art survives. Art survives when it is most needed. As long as there is a hard-working group of artists ready to make it happen. 

I hope you're ready for them to teach you too.

Enjoy the show,

MacLean Blanner