The Stage: A Love Story

It's the same scenario every time: the lights dim, the curtain rises and a small lump forms in my throat. Like clockwork, the sound of the overture causes my eyes to mist over and soon enough my vision is blurred. For three hours I am enraptured; my heart swells with each note and every expertly choreographed dance routine is shuffled along with under my seat. Broadway has a way with me.

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.

With my Grandma and sister Kerry before Mrs. Pearsall's Dance Studio recital, elementary school

Techniques Dance Studio, 2002

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 :)

Follies, 2001 (along with Chrissy, Danielle and Aviva)

The American Clock, 2001 (Mike, myself, Lindsey and Jon)

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!"

Christmastime in The City

I'm usually one of the many people that cringe at the sound/sight of Christmas-things forced upon us too soon in the season, but for some reason this year, it's like medicine for my soul. I've spent the past two weekends at home, to decompress after (and during) a hectic season at work, and of course, for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to be home on Long Island, vegging out on the couch, relaxing & spending time with everyone I love - the stresses of work and money far away in The City. I guess I'll always be a kid at heart, reveling in a tiny escape at home where I can put the reality of adulthood on pause.



Yesterday, my kid at heart was in full bloom, harnessing the giddy feeling that Christmas is only a few weeks away. A crisp winter chill was in the air, and as my mom drove us to my apartment, I marveled at the Christmas trees stacked on street corners, waiting to be tugged home by anxious families. And while I do think it is a little early to put up a tree just yet, that image of "holiday" lent a sense of my home back home, to my new home uptown. This will be my first Christmas in my own apartment and I'm excited to get a tree and decorate, however modestly it will be. One of the things I loved most about Christmas was lounging in my living room with the lamps dimmed and the glow of our Christmas tree giving off a soothing warm hue. My goal is to recreate that feeling as best I can, with a small manageable tree and a few decorations.

It sounds so cliche, but once you get passed the fact of being out in the bitter cold without the warm escape of cars and malls, there is something magical about being in the city around Christmas. It's hard to put into words, but it truly reinforces why I love living in The City. I'm looking forward to walking around, wrapped in scarf, hat and gloves, to take in the holiday decorations in store windows, while grabbing a coffee or hot chocolate on the way. The crowds are inevitable, but if you choose your part of town wisely, you can embrace the holiday season without getting jaded by disgruntled pedestrians.



The tree in Rockefeller Center will go up next week and with that, the official stamp of the holiday season is sealed. In a week or two, I'll be one of those anxious New Yorkers, buying a tree on the street in signature New York fashion. My sister is bringing me ornaments from home to decorate my tree with. I know that will add just the right amount of "Christmas in the Campbell household" to my little living room. December is only a few days away, and with that the magical childhood wonder of Christmas is close behind.

Stay tuned, as I will definitely be posting pictures of my holiday decorations!