Friday, April 25, 2008

Why Does Peter Pan Make Me Cry??

The theatre company I work for opened "Peter Pan" this morning to about 550 kids from area elementary schools, their teachers, and their parents. It was kind of a crazy morning, but I loved it. Being able to greet the excited little ones and see how jazzed they are about the show and listen to them carry on and rave about it afterwards--this is the kind of morning I love. It firmly reminds me that I work for a company that I am so freakin' proud to be a part of.

So if you see me sitting in the audience with crocodile tears streaming down my face, it's not because I have PMS. It's because I just well up with extreme pride, like I did today, when I sit and watch the combined talents of this amazing group of people that I work with. From the performers to the set and costume and lighting designers to the director to the choreographer to who knows who I am forgetting to list. These people make magic. They create an experience that is indelibly printed into the memories of all who watch it. How cool is that? I can't help bawling like Miss America. By the end of the show today, my Kleenex was a tear and snot soaked mess!

I encourage you all--all 6 of my readers--to please go see Peter Pan! You will feel like you are 7 years old and when it's time to clap if you believe in fairies, you will applaud until your hands bleed! Just leave your adult brain at the door and let yourself be sucked in--you will be so glad you did!

15 comments:

Dave T said...

You do work for a fabulous company! I've been amazed seeing Peter Pan come together -- it's a huge undertaking and everyone is so committed to making it work. Even jaded cynical me was pretty choked up when the kids came back at the end.

Hope "Why do fools" is going well!

Janine Serresseque said...

Thanks, Dave!
Your son is a major league cutie. I hope he's having the time of his life!

Jessica said...

Ooooh, I'm too far away (barring the $2000 flight) but I have at least seen Ford in an earlier run. Loved all the "making of" posts and vids Catherine put on the blog!

Jacquie O. said...

The first time I saw Peter Pan I had a physical reaction that I had no control of. When he flew in...my hands flew up and I clasped them in front of me (in prayer form), I sat straight up in my seat like someone had just stuck a pole up my butt and this sound came out of my mouth...like an "ohhhh", but higher. AND I started SCREAM crying. I was slightly embarrassed...once I had calmed down. But man oh man…what an amazing moment. OK, at the risk of sounded like a total nerd (too late)…it reminded me of the reaction I had the first time I saw Star Wars when I was 12. When the ship took off at warp speed…except this was LIVE theatre (and I was waaaay older.)

Jacquie O. said...

Ummm...I meant to say "sounding" like a total nerd!

Unknown said...

I have to admit that even after designing this production now twice, and seeing parts of the show probably 20 times by this point, in rehearsals and performances both, it still gets to me.

When little Michael soars into the air after saying "Christmas" I am sucked in completely. "Distant Melody" as sung by Ford Flanagan has choked me up every time I have heard him sing it.

The show has a way of making you feel like a child again, and long for the days of when Never Growing Up seemed possible. I still wish I had never learned about solemn things.

Just being back for two weeks reminded me of what a very special place Theatre IV is and always will be. All the headaches aside, the 8 years I worked there were 8 of the best years of my working life.

Alex said...

reader #7 can't wait to see it with Felix (and Greta) Saturday.

Janine Serresseque said...

Thanks for your comments, everybody! I'm glad I'm not the only sap around!
I fly in my dreams a lot. Maybe that's why I love PP so much. I'm not afraid of growing old, but I do feel that, as we get older, we begin to box in and limit our possibilities under the guise of "growing up" or "settling down."

Princess Crabass said...

Oh, but tell everyone HOW you fly. That's the best part.

JB said...

Flying in your sleep is sexual. It is freudian.

Anonymous said...

So is sex in your dreams flight-related?

JB said...

oh, is that where you are having all your sex these days?

Janine Serresseque said...

Robyn, what are you referring to? But call me--it's probably to embarrassing to post on here!

Princess Crabass said...

You know what, I might be thinking of Lynnie. When she flies in her dreams, she doesn't fly like a bird or like Superman (the things you would expect). She flies like she's doing the breast stroke through the air, the visual of which I find quite amusing.

Alex said...

so we missed the entire first act, the wrong start time somewhere, but Greta still asked Ford if he had real pixie dust.