The process from script to stage began much as this story itself does: with a con.
Little over a month had passed after the close of last year's successful run of The Who's Tommy when I knew...I knew...that this was the show for us. I loved the story, and I loved the challenges the show presented to our young performers. There never really was a second option in consideration. I started carrying "a script" around with me. Kids noticed. Rumors began. Well, as the song says, "you've got to leave them wanting more".
So as the story goes, I found a libretto (script) for a musical that the kids (who are well aware of my tastes) knew I would never choose. I hid that script on my desk as a decoy, then sent an unsuspecting, innocent student (Savannah Haynes) into my office to "find something". Of course, she saw the libretto, and the kids proceeded to murmur between them that I had descended into madness. Some of them murmured. Others held onto the "uh...no way" attitude. I found all of this out, of course, after the fact. I hear that some of them were freaked...out. (hee hee) So at theatre banquet I saw the con through to the very end.
I'm not going to lie. I love doing this stuff.
I announced the decoy show as the 2014 musical, to the stifled cheers of some, to the chagrin of others, and to the serious doubt of a few. Of course, I moved through the rest of the season announcement without hesitation, but finally had to let them off the hook at the end...to the cheers of many, to the chagrin of a few (who really thought we were doing High School Musical 2--hee hee), and to the quiet acceptance of some who weren't familiar with the show. And...off we went!
Of course, it takes a tremendous support system to "top off the illusion" (because really, theatre is an elaborate con in itself), and I have been fortunate to work with a fantastic group of people on the production staff. To Leia Browning, Caroline Sears, Joshua Miller, Sharon Maguire, Charlsie Griffiths, Amy Lutes, and Bear Hamilton: the contribution each of you has made with your individual talents is astonishing. You have all been worthy accomplices in this game, and I thank you from the depths of my soul. You're the ANDRE to my LAWRENCE, if I were ever that suave.
To the cast: watching you evolve over the past four months has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. Keep exploring your talent, and don't let anyone ever dismiss your passion as a "hobby".
To Karen Hunt, Joe and Judy Maguire, Frank Ford, Kirk and Palmer Ragsdale, Molly Jelic, Tom Trast, Cathy Tharp, Shaun and Tony Smith, Tonya Megyesi, and the entire pool of parent volunteers: you are all amazing and wonderful people, and I cannot repay your gifts of time and work, not to mention the tremendous opportunity to work with your kids.
To Caroline: my sidekick for the past two years. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your talent, your dedication, and for helping me keep it all together. Start training a successor, because you've spoiled me.
To Drew: what can I say? How lucky are we to get to do this together? Keep working. You were born for it.
And to my wife Tara and my daughter Chloe: I love you. You understand what we are trying to accomplish and you sacrifice for me every day. You are the most important support system of all.
And so, in conclusion...
