Thursday, June 17, 2010

Happy Is What Happens

I made it back. The return journey to reality is never enjoyable. But it's always necessary. In my last blog "A Little Bit Wicked," I mentioned the emotional tumult of a musical. The swelling of harmonies. The attention to detail. Even when it's not perfect. And it most rarely is.

I spent 3 hours last night in another reality. In the land of Oz. It's odd to think about, really. It's like dropping eaves (as Samwise Gamgee would say) on people's personal lives. Their hopes. Their dreams. You share their hurt in the darkest hour and run with them in their highest day. As Glinda (the "Ga" is silent) says, "Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true...."
But even in that moment, you share with her the sting of rejection. There's a tinge of grieving her lost dream, her lost love. You watch the visions of her future as it changes in front of her. Oddly, that's what Broadway is for me every time. (I cried twice before we even sat down for our pre-show dinner.) I love it. Last night, in only 3 hours, I danced at the Oz Dust Ballroom, had girl time in the dorm at Shiz University, spent one short day at the Emerald City, and defied gravity with a magic broom in hand. And then it was over. Back. To. Reality.




Pain is inevitable. At least discomfort is. Of course, we were never promised a comfortable journey, were we? Don't be fooled America. God does "have a plan for your life." But the plan was in Jesus. Not in our comfort. "Take up your cross and follow me," doesn't sound too concerned with our comfort. I saw this idea lived out in Haiti.

Joy. Perseverance. Determination. Love. Family.

Jesus.

Comfort was no where to be found. Yet life was moving on. With energy, and with hope.

I'll sign off with the end of Thank Goodness. Bravo to Chandra Lee Schwartz. Best performance of this song I've seen....

That's why I couldn't be happier


No, I couldn't be happier

Though it is, I admit
The tiniest bit
Unlike I anticipated
But I couldn't be happier
Simply couldn't be happier
Well - not "simply":
'Cause getting your dreams
It's strange, but it seems
A little - well - complicated
There's a kind of a sort of : cost
There's a couple of things get: lost
There are bridges you cross
You didn't know you crossed
Until you've crossed
And if that joy, that thrill
Doesn't thrill you like you think it will
Still -
With this perfect finale
The cheers and ballyhoo
Who
Wouldn't be happier?
So I couldn't be happier
Because happy is what happens
When all your dreams come true
Well, isn't it?
Happy is what happens
When your dreams come true!

2 comments:

  1. We're going next Wednesday! Can hardly wait! The last time we went we had seats in the nosebleed section. This time I got us really great seats!

    JoAnn

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