This past week, I had the opportunity to go see a local production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical, The King And I. If you're not familiar with the production, it is set in 1860's Bangkok, where a love story unfolds between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, who comes from Britain to teach the King's many wives as well as his children. With a beautiful soundtrack and brilliant choreography, it reminded me what a gift live theatre can be to an audience.
Not only was I able to escape the stress of a college setting for the night, but I was able to immerse myself in a night of art and creativity. Often, our lives are filled with problem after problem, and obstacle after obstacle. We have exams to study for, friends to hang out with, and jobs to show up at. I underestimated the power of taking a night off, not just watching Netflix, but escaping to another world - a much more magical one.
Just sitting in my seat at the Providence Performing Arts Center was enough to feel like I was in a therapy session. Gazing around at the beautiful architecture of this old theatre was relaxing and thought-provoking. Someone had to craft that place from the ground up, tending to each and every nook and cranny, carving out every detail on the walls.
There's something quite exciting, as a performer myself, knowing that a company is preparing backstage at the very moment that you walk in. Isn't it inspiring to know that they must have been in the exact same position as an audience member a thousand times, and now the tables have turned? You can practically feel the energy and passionate vibes resonating from behind the curtain.
The performance itself was full of vibrant lighting and colors: cool blues, warm yellows, lovely pinks, and comforting purples. It sounds foolish, but I really don't appreciate the beauty of color in my day-to-day life as much as I should. Something else that the musical makes you feel is a wonderful sense of hope and a belief in true love. I've always been a hopeless romantic, but there is something about two characters singing a soaring duet in harmony that really sends me over the edge. Relationships aren't that perfect in real life, especially in our young adult years - but isn't it nice to dream that they could play out so perfectly on a stage?
The power of storytelling is something that live theatre possesses like nothing else. The theatre was full of patrons last night, but we were all sitting there, enveloped and captured by the same story. The best part is, there weren't only children there, there was a wide range of ages enjoying the show. It's something special to hear an older woman share a laugh with a child at the same joke - it repairs our fragmented generation in a safe environment. I think of all of the things that separate us in today's world, from politics, to religion, to prejudice, and anything else in between - and I thank theatre for being something that brings us together without us even trying.
I left the theatre with a warmth in my heart, as cheesy as that may sound to you. Whether you believe me or not, it was impossible to feel like you did not just witness something so beautiful, innocent, and pure. So often, I don't attend a show because I say that the price is too costly, or I have other things to do. This week, I did have others things that needed to be done. And, I didn't really have the money to spend. That being said, I don't regret spending the money, or studying for my exam in the morning instead of the night before - because for and an hour and a half, live theatre was able to destress me and refresh me for the days ahead.
Fellow Salve students, take my advice - escape and go see a show!
Theatre In Rhode Island: https://www.visitrhodeisland.com/what-to-see/performing-arts/
PPAC (Providence Performing Arts Center) 2016-17 Season:https://www.ppacri.org/events-tickets/broadway-series
By the way: Student Rush tickets (discounted) are always available at PPAC before curtain!!!!
Let the overture begin, and let your stress end.
