A few weeks ago my family and I saw Anything Goes in the newly minted Stephen Sondheim Theatre. I was especially thrilled to see this 1930's Cole Porter classic for three reasons; Stephen Sondheim was the God of my high school theatre class, Sutton Foster - the star of Anything Goes - delighted audiences in Thoroughly Modern Millie (a tap heavy production from 2000) and it was the first broadway show I was seeing with my Grandma. My Grandmother Vera danced her way into The Roxy Theatre in the 1940's and was a member of the famed Radio City Rockettes. Maybe it's just in my blood, but as soon as I could walk, I wanted nothing more than to dance. Through freshman year of college I danced tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical and was unabashedly in love with every hard working moment. There's nothing like the feeling of sashaying onto a stage, overcome with emotion.
In junior high I began to fulfill my other passion; theatre. I was graciously accepted into the On Tour drama program at Calhoun High School under the stern/Beatle-obsessed instruction of Mr. Sal Salerno, who we just called Sal. We were theatre geeks through-and-through, playing hooky to come into Manhattan to see Le Mis and Rent. To be in On Tour meant the wonderful privilege of experiencing Shakespeare, Greek tragedies, straight plays, musicals, improv, and even directing a senior year one act. (Being in On Tour also meant "learning" the Stanislavski Method of acting ... but I digress.) It was glorious, and while I knew in my heart I may not have the chops to make it on The Great White Way, I was able to act out my dreams in a dance solo in Follies, a speaking part in The American Clock and as Rosa in Tennessee Williams' The Rose Tattoo. I also lovingly look back on being a proud member of many-an-ensemble, which us cast members termed The B.E.E.S. We were The Best Ensemble Eva, Son. Yes, there was some bitterness when certain people always made the lead, but that's high school for ya :)
I've come to realize that the bittersweet emotions I feel when I see a Broadway show, are the result of a melancholy regret I have for not pursuing the activities of my youth as an adult. While my passions and goals have evolved over the years, I would love to find a way to incorporate my old hobbies into the present. I can certainly take classes at Broadway Dance Centre or attend the various dance workshops that this show biz city has available, but alas, I never have. So, there's no time like the present. This summer I am going to do some homework ... it's time I whip out my old dancin' shoes.
"In olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, but now, God knows, Anything Goes!"
