I Wept

For the last three nights, I have sat in a darkened auditorium – masked, socially distanced, and fully vaccinated – and watched live theatre.

The performers were masked too – masked as they sang, danced, tumbled, ran, and performed their hearts out.

And I wept.

I wept for the lost performances, for the year of silence. And I wept for the profound beauty of sharing a space and a moment with performers sharing a story.

My friends who led this production of Newsies – Gayla Fox, Mandy Scott, Virginia Child, Dan Brown – have made a miracle happen in providing this experience to the students and to their (much smaller than they deserve) audience. Thank you. Thank you to the students for your bravery in taking this on.

I’ll see it again before they close on Sunday. And I’ll weep again. May you also be so lucky soon to experience a live concert, play, musical, or other artistic expression. We’re better when we’re together. Let’s weep together, too.