In the Heights

Today's the day I share with you thoughts which have been rolling around in my head for a very long time. For your convenience, I'm offering a short version.

Here’s the short version:

I’m in a show. You should come see the show. Check out the 'In The Heights' image on my sidebar for tickets.

But if you feel so inclined to find out the details, I'm sharing the history because this really means a lot to me. 

*****

You’ll remember that the Ignite presentation I gave at evo12 was called ‘Evolution of a Dream.’ You also may remember that when I was listing the things I wanted to be when I grew up, the first one I mentioned (after Wonder Woman, referencing the picture of myself in underoos) was that I wanted to be on Broadway (0:58). It’s a dream that wasn’t beyond reach at one point in my life.

I’ve learned as an adult – and it’s one of the hardest pills to swallow for a college dropout – that no one cares what you did in high school. Let me rephrase that: most people don’t care. Some people do. I do. But maybe that’s because I’m a college dropout. That being said, I’m going to give you some background, and it has to do with high school.

When I was in high school, I was really good at musical theater. (Really good? Is that how to phrase it?) I loved being on stage. Toward the end of my junior year in high school (we had done Fiddler on the Roof that year, I was Hodel), I received a letter, and a phone call, from AMDA, which is a performing arts school on Broadway. They asked me to come to the city for an audition. When I told them that I was only a junior, they apologized (they thought I was a senior), and said they’d call again the following year, which they did. I got the phone call after we finished Guys & Dolls (I was Adelaide). I remember being so excited at the thought of it; I also remember telling my mom, who scoffed, “Like I have any money to take you to New York City.” It was a six-hour drive to the city, but I simply couldn’t get there. And with that, I didn’t audition for AMDA.

Over the years, I’ve wondered about that scenario. I've wondered if AMDA was a credible institution (it is). I’ve wondered if credible institutions really recruit students (they do). And I’ve wondered if I was really all that talented – then, ever, and currently.

I ended up moving to Utah at age 19. I got married at 20, first baby at 22. My life has been intentional. I am not sorry that I’ve done what I have with my life. Still, I’ve always wondered if anything could have – would have – come of it. I told myself that I had made the ‘right’ choice – becoming a mother. Never did it enter my mind that I could be a mom and continue to act.

For years I didn’t see any shows. It was too painful. Truly. When I did start attending plays and musicals again (slowly) it took a while for my emotions to not boil over with jealousy of those on stage. Imagine – imagine! – my reaction when, upon reading the bios in the playbills, I saw things like, studied at AMDA in New York City, and, is a mother to three young children. I began to doubt myself and think I hadn't used my talents the way I should have, and that it was too late. Add to the doubt people telling me, straight up, that they don’t think I sing very well and my doubt swelled to bigger than I could bear. Why hadn’t anyone told me that I could be a mom AND be on stage? I was so disappointed in myself, which was supremely conflicting. I am someone who loves being with her kids, so why was I feeling like I had missed the boat, like I had failed? Just because I didn’t live one of my dreams didn’t mean I wasn’t living another because, indeed, I was (and am).

Back in 2009 (2010?), my brother called me. As a law student living in Illinois, he was on a trip to New York City for something-or-other, and entered a TKTS lottery to see a show called In the Heights. Because my brother has the best luck on the planet, he won tickets – orchestra seats, or something amazing. Now, I should tell you that my brother’s opinion is one I value, as he and I are close friends (ß inadequate phrasing). You should also know that during the years he was in law school he didn’t call me too often because of time restraints (law school is busy enough; he also has a wife and family). But while he was in New York, he took the time to call me. This is what he said to me:

“I just wanted to call and tell you something. Well, two things. First, you have made many correct and good choices in your life. The best choices. You are a good woman, and you love your family, and you have a great life, and it’s because of the choices you have made. You did it. You should never, ever regret that. Second, last night I saw a musical called In the Heights and I want you to know: you absolutely could have been on Broadway. I have no doubt in my mind. There’s something about this show that made me think of you. Every single person in the cast reminded me of you, and I just felt, throughout the show, ‘Jenny could be any one of these people.’ You could have. But I’m kind of glad you didn’t. But you could have.”

That phone call changed my life because it changed my perspective. That day I wiped my tears and knew I’d get back on stage.

Since that time, dance has reentered my life (as evidenced by my Ignite presentation/flashmob, among other things). Confidence has made an appearance as well in the form of not paying attention to the few people who say they don’t like how I sing, and instead paying attention to the scores of people who have complimented and encouraged my talents.  

Almost a year ago, I heard that In the Heights was coming to a local theater, and I knew. I knew it was time. Darin has been done with his doctoral work for two years. My youngest kid is starting school this year. I’ve been dancing. It's time. Darin was, has been, and is, completely supportive. I decided to prepare for the audition.

Beginning last December, I got to work. I learned everything I could about the auditioning process. I started taking voice lessons. I put together a headshot and résumé. Then, in June, I auditioned.

It was my first stage audition in 18 years.

I made callbacks.

And I was cast.  

(One day I’ll tell you about how, and why, right after the audition, I had to get in a rented car and drive six hours into Wyoming. Or the circumstances of the day, the minute I learned I had made callbacks. Or how, three hours before callbacks, I realized I hadn’t learned the song I had to sing. There’s a lot of story here.)

And here we are. We’ve been rehearsing for about a month. The process is fascinating and enjoyable and I’m grateful every day to be a part of it.

There’s one last piece to this, though.

Here I am: I find myself living so many dreams, overwhelmed with gratitude for being able to have the life I do, my family and my job . . . and then I add to it that I can fit this other old/new dream into my life, humbled that I’ve been cast among such professional, stellar talent, in an amazing show. Having taken an 18-year break, getting to use my talents, it’s all very healing and helpful in helping me make more discoveries about myself and potential. And with ALL of that, I will overcome an obstacle that I didn’t know I could.

I will perform on Opening Night, which is October 3rd. Taylor's birthday.

Thirteen years later, I won't be shut away from the world. My mourning will be private because I will be on stage. Back on stage. It’s a step of healing I never could have imagined.

*****

I can’t wait for you to see this show. Here are the details (which I will be sharing incessantly for the next few months):

In the Heights

Hale Center Theater, Orem, Utah

October 3 through November 23, 2013

*I am in the Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday (evening) shows. I'm scheduled to be in the Saturday matinee on 10/26, 11/9, 11/23*

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you there.