Sondheim as Therapy

Most musical theater singers and actors know that doing a show by Stephen Sondheim is a lot like getting some personal therapy. Over the weekend I enjoyed the Fine Arts Center's Youth Repertory production of "Merrily We Roll Along." Now before you judge a youth rep - consider that it is a 3 month audition, 5 week/8 hours a day rehearsal schedule to kick a few "would be performers" in the backside. And it does! Our FAC is quite amazing!

In this show I was constantly aware of the "company" of people surrounding the main characters. The talkers, the movers and the shakers..."The Blob," as noted by one female character. I asked myself, "does Sondheim want me to see these people as the voices in my head or are they real? Are they friends, fr-enemies or media?" In any case, I took to heart the message that I must constantly balance the opinions and outside talk with what I think of myself, and what I want from my music, life and business. Art Imitates Life! Sometimes beautifully and other times grotesquely.

It was wonderful to see 5 former and current students in the FAC production. Throughout, I realized that I was doing what I set out to do with my studio, singers and business. Now it is extremely important to keep doing it.