The Curtain

There were only a few hours left. Everything that could be prepared was, everything else would be left to the fates. The minutes seemed to fly by as make-up was applied and bags were packed, and then the minutes crawled until it was time to leave.

The brisk and cold wind under a bright, setting sun hinted that winter was fighting to stay relevant as spring marched in. The battle between the seasons was fueled by the excitement and angst of so many who had worked so hard to prepare, hoping that something wasn't forgotten at home and praying that everything would be remembered when it mattered.

Hours upon hours of dance practice, staging rehearsals, music study, and memorization didn't matter in those last few moments. That was all behind them. Uncertainty gnawed at confidence as the sounds of the rustling audience floated to the wings of the stage, an audience as excited to see them as they were to perform. A stolen peek to find a parent or a friend was more a distraction to quell the butterflies, a chance to focus on something other than what was ahead for even just a brief time.

They knew the moment was upon them when the voices in their heads grew louder as the sounds of the hall quieted to a whisper. The slam of the carriage on the track pulling the metal clips to either side of the stage resonated as a boulder falling in a canyon, each successive clip its own unique pitch and timbre echoing in the hall and in the wings.  The final feeling of a breeze as the thick, velvety fabric was drawn seemed a simultaneous whisper of encouragement and taunting laugh.

The curtain is gone and stage is laid bare, ready for them to step forward. The seemingly endless pause is abruptly interrupted as the music fills the hall. They step out to bring their individual and collective message to the willing masses assembled in front of the proscenium. Their own personalities they leave in the wings and the characters develop in an instant under the warm lights.

The actors sing and dance, telling an entertaining story while poking fun as they float across the stage. Those of us watching dispel with reality and immerse ourselves in the beauty that is art, in whatever form, delivered by those that we have nurtured and supported for so many years. We applaud and laugh, eager to show our appreciation. With a smile and a bow to thunderous applause, the show closes and the lights dim.

The curtain is drawn across the stage, hardly noticeable now with the audience moving quickly to laud accolades upon the performers. There can be no doubt that opening night was a success with all of the smiles so clearly visible.

This night, the beautiful joy of life and being a parent was obvious. I recognized the reality that curtains in the lives of my girls are continuously opening and closing, often with very little fanfare, but with no less personal meaning. And I was reminded I don’t want to miss a single performance.

Curtis Middle School has brought the story of Willie Wonka to the stage, a junior version of classic that is excellently paced and well-performed by a great number of students. Come and appreciate for yourself the hard work and energy of these students. Performances run Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.