Inspirational

The last 72 hours have really been an adventure. I flew back from WA to MA, saw family, had a Scoliosis re-evaluation (all good news!), drove and moved back to NYC, saw a show, AND helped with the MSM MT callbacks.

I have finally had time to take a moment to reflect on the gift these last three months have been. To say that the opportunity to portray three dream roles in one summer was beyond my wildest dreams is an understatement. Leavenworth Summer Theater placed their faith in me, entrusting me to lead their summer productions of “The Sound of Music,” “The Music Man,” and “The Secret Garden” this year. I am proud of my determination to grow, story-tell, and discover throughout the process.

The three incredible women I had the honor of portraying, have similar hearts. Each one is moved to heroic advocacy founded on their love for both children and life partners. Yet, each expresses themselves quite differently.

Maria Rainer, thank you for your story. It was an honor to meet your grandson, Stefan (see him below). He -and sisters from an abbey in Spokane- felt I uniquely captured your spunk. I discovered this dimension of your character in your book “The Story of the von Trapp Family Singers.” To hear this, I felt I had done my job well; to connect your voice and story while also honoring the beautiful interpretations of the great dame Julie Andrews. To tell this story IN the town of Leavenworth, literally IN the mountains, was a dream.

Marian Paroo, you and I are much alike. When we open our hearts to someone, it takes quite a bit of time to build trust and we always love fully; but boy… loving and trusting another takes quite a bit of courage. I loved reading several books by Meredith Wilson and I really feel I was able to use that research in my portrayal of Marian, and your vision. I grew up loving Shirley Jones, this musical, and I know she would have loved the show.

Lily Craven, words cannot express the heart and soul expressed in the music that I had the honor of singing. It was a great challenge portraying you; an ethereal spirit of another world, and to experience the tremendous yearning to reach your loved ones, yet to be invisible. I discovered so much through your experiencing the obstacle of never meeting someone’s eyes. Like the garden, shuttered and waiting, the veil has to be lifted. This barrier really pushed my emotional connection. I grew up listening and reading the book “The Secret Garden” and my inner child wept tears of happiness, and sadness, throughout the whole show. What a heart and tear jerker.

I think of this summer as “my Rebecca Luker summer.” Each of these roles she had once played. Knowing this kept me focused and present. I felt her guidance along with our dear SG assistant director Carolyn Wilson, who passed after actively creating the production with us.

I was blessed this summer with a true community of support, both in the very special connections made on stage and beyond; extending to dear friends made in the town of Leavenworth, my hosts, my co- worker, and the families of my cast mates who welcomed and supported me. I had incredible directors and scene partners.

I was artistically challenged. I successfully performed in all 36 shows, changing show every day (except Mondays where we had the day off!) I was encouraged to follow my instincts and to explore by my incredible directors: Kevin McKee, Tiffany Mausser, and John Wagner. I was buoyed by the love and support from the cast and crew. I made lifelong friends whom I will miss until I see them again. This summer was a dream and yet also very real. I will never ever forget. Thank you everyone who made this possible.

I also wanted to shoutout Carl Knowles, Drew Hope, and Barbara Roberts. They all made me feel and look beautiful in every single show, on and off the stage.

Carl: Thank you, and your wife, so much for being so attentive and sensitive to costuming Archibald Craven. I really appreciated when you took the time to talk with me about my experience with scoliosis, to find the most appropriate and respectful way to create a curve! I also appreciate how much time and effort you took to create the back brace for Colin. 

Melanie Spees, Margy Hesse, LST