A Journey Worth the Taking

As you may or may not know, the theater program at West Morris Central will be presenting the musical “Children of Eden” next weekend. The shows will take place on Thursday, March 14^th, Friday, March 15^th, and Saturday, March 16^th at 7:30 PM in the WMC auditorium. There will also be a 2:00 PM matinee on the 16^th.

I have described the production to pretty much everyone I know as a musical with a religious setting but universal themes (the plot emphasizes certain messages about families, hope, dealing with emotions, etc.). Act I closely mirrors the biblical story of Adam and Eve, while Act II resembles the story of Noah’s Ark (In addition to being part of the ensemble that tells the story, I play Noah).

As a senior and three year veteran of the stage at WMC, I can’t help but acknowledge that the musical theatre program has grown exponentially during my time at West Morris Central.

The other day, I talked to a WMC alumnus who graduated in the mid to late 2000’s about her experiences with musical theatre at WMC. She told me that during her time at our school, participation in the program was weak, and that members of the barren cast were embarrassed to perform some of the productions due to their lack of quality music and acting.   

During my Freshman year, I tried out for the fall drama and was cut. I decided not to try out for the spring musical (Grease). The following year, I also skipped trying out for my sophomore year drama (Get Smart). For my first two years of high school, I mostly kept to myself. I didn’t really introduce myself to new people. I didn’t really participate in anything extracurricular besides keeping statistics for the Freshman Basketball team. Unless you count playing Call of Duty under that category. Though I played more of that game than I care to admit, I don’t necessarily regret the memories I have from it. Sometimes things come into your life at different times for different reasons that you don’t fully understand at the time. Why was I cut from the drama? Why didn’t I feel compelled to join more productions?

But then the worst injustice came on the heels of despair. Midway through my sophomore year, I hit some academic struggles. I switched out of my geometry class for the second year in a row to avoid failing (the year before, I switched into Algebra 1). I found myself only a level lower (from Advanced, the 2^nd highest level to Academic, the 2^nd lowest) in mathematics, but I felt like I had sunk two levels lower in terms of capability as a person. My “friends” weren’t exactly comforting. Just the opposite actually. Most of them were in Advanced Geometry, so they made fun of me for not being able to handle the class. Looking back now, I realize the triviality of their petty comments. They were made more in jest than viciousness, but at the time, the words hurt. Academics were my strength; well other than perhaps pressing a colored button and pretending to shoot fake digital terrorists. I wasn’t depressed, but I was disillusioned.

But then, something changed. I made myself try out for the spring musical that year (Guys and Dolls). I wanted to find something that I was good at again. I wanted to get involved. Anyway, I tried out, and did a mediocre job. My dad was and is a great singer, but this had been my first time singing in public. Nevertheless, I was hopeful.

I didn’t get cut because they didn’t cut anyone. Rather, I had no role. Or so I thought. I was just part of the general ensemble. I didn’t have a name. I didn’t have a character. And then role envy kicked in. Why did that horrible freshman get that role? Did they really think that he was better than me? Halfway through the production, a leading actor dropped out. They picked my friend out of the ensemble to replace him. I was furious again. Why not me? I knew that I was a good actor. And I thought I was a decent singer.

These “injustices” tested my fortitude. But I made the most important choice of my life and stayed in the musical. I didn’t drop out. I didn’t quit even when it seemed that the world had gradually quit on me.

Things started to get better. Guys and Dolls, although relatively simple in terms of quality ensemble numbers, was a blast. With the stress of Junior Year, I skipped trying out for the drama. I was locked in and ready to go, though, when the musical came around (My Fair Lady). This time, I actually got a character with lines (seven…I still remember how many). I even got to sing in a trio! The show once again was incredibly fun, and I formed strong friendships with many of the cast members. The music in My Fair Lady was better than Guys and Dolls, but once again, it was a relatively “safe” production. It was good but not great. And Life was good. I just didn’t know how much better it would get.

During the fall of my Senior Year (late 2012), I decided to finally audition for the drama (My Sister Eileen). I got a lead role: a sleazy newspaper reporter with a New York accent and a multitude of lines. I even got a goofy fake cigar! I loved every minute of it, as I strengthened my old friendships and formed new ones. And by this point, academics weren’t a worry. I had gradually eased myself into taking all IB/AP/Honors classes (even Math; Honors Pre-Calculus). I got good enough grades.

And after a fantastic show, my director, Mr. Hogan (a fantastic mentor who has directed every production here since My Fair Lady) informed me that we would be performing a musical called “Children of Eden”. I looked at him skeptically. Sure, I’m a religious person, but how could this appeal to West Morris? Would people really embrace the deep messages and serious tone of the musical? This would be by far the most musically ambitious production in school history. The cast would have to learn difficult and various harmonies for a slew of complex and poignant solos and ensemble numbers.

But the cast justified Mr. Hogan’s belief. The show slowly but surely came together, and is almost performance quality now. The cast has worked ridiculously hard to perfect all of its songs, dances, and lines. And I enjoy every day of it. I have been able to work with some of the most amazing people

Okay I had to start a new line because I broke down on that one. But the truth is that you can’t put into words how meaningful the people in the musical are to me. I’ve learned to appreciate what true friendship is. Everyone has a great sense of humor, and criticism is meant to help people with their talents rather than belittle them for their shortcomings. We’ve shared so many laughs. So many memories. I feel like this is going to be the climax of our joy together, but I don’t know how I’m going to feel afterward.  What will I do without my theater friends? I don’t plan to major in theater.. I just don’t know.

Oh good God it appears that I have driven the train way off the tracks, and now find myself staring at something that resembles an erratic diary rather than a blog post. My theme was supposed to be that as the musicals have grown in quality and participation has grown in numbers (60 people this year…a far cry from the alumnus’s experience), so have I personally. As I mentioned before, I do have a lead in this production. But acting is about so much more than the number of lines or perceived significance. Each person on stage is a character. Each person’s role is just as important as mine because if one person is not “in character”, then the illusion is ruined.

What I’ve learned from this whole process is that things can turn out well in the end, provided that you take nothing for granted and truly recognize the importance of the special things and special people in your life. I’m still working on doing that, but I’ve come a long way.

Oh, and come see Children of Eden because it is a musical with plenty of meaning and passion. The production is just as every bit amazing as the people who in it are.