You Never Forget Your First Big Show

Last night, I drove to Wilson Borough High School, near Easton, PA to watch the kids there perform "Little Women." It would be strange if you did not question "Why John? Why would you drive 50 miles to watch a bunch of kids in a school show?" I'm glad you asked. My brother Dan has been directing shows at the same school going on 40 years now and my family and I have seen virtually all of them. I must hand it to Dan. Wilson Borough is a small school district and yet Dan is able to find some amazingly talented kids every year. (One or two of whom have gone on to star on Broadway.) 

It is so great to watch the excitement, bordering upon hysteria, of a school show. The friends and family in the lobby before the show carrying enough flowers to furnish a wedding. The giggles of the kids out for a night of fun in the school. And then there's the show. "Little Women" is not my favorite show. The book is thin and the music is generally average and derivative of shows in the current milieu. Plus I never read the book as a young man. The book after all was called "Little Women," and in those days one risked much as a male to be caught with such a title. But those girls and guys, especially the actors playing the sisters and mother, bowled me over. What pipes on these kids! They danced well, they acted very well, but the singing was sublime. The guys were good, especially the main love interest who has a superb range, but the show is about the sisters and they shined.

Being the old actor I am, I know that memories of this show will pop up for these kids for the rest of their lives. It might be in dreams, it might be because an old friend or co-actor reminiscences 40 years from now (or 50 or 60). Every time I see a school show I sit in pleasure and reverie as memories of my own first big show, 46 years ago, stir my emotions. The screams from the friends in the audience, the titters with every on-stage kiss, the peeking through the wings by the actors, and the exaltation by the cast at the (massive) curtain call, echoed every school show I did and the scores I've seen as an adult. (To be honest, Dan runs a very tight ship; no peeking, ad-libbing, or horseplay upon pain of...Mr. Kaye exhibiting the sort of displeasure that chills the marrow of young thespians.)

46 years ago I starred in my school's show of Carousel. The school had over 5000 students so there was amazing energy. Today, it is not at all unusual for someone on FB or at a reunion, to remark on that show. Indeed many of the cast and crew are people with whom I'm still in touch. When I dream of being on stage, even after scores of shows over the years, the stage I am usually on is the High School stage. 

Some of these kids will be in many more shows in their lives. Some may even turn pro and make acting their career. There will never be another high school show like this though. Today, when the curtain goes down on the last matinee, there will be tears. This may be the last time that the close of a show brings the people backstage to tears. Because it's not just the end of a show; for many it's the end of an era.

While it's usually true that you never forget your first girl (or boy) you definitely never forget your first big show.

Break legs today kids I know you'll cherish every moment.