Be a bell. Yes, like the adorably irritating Rhoda and Rita from the endearing musical, White Christmas. Be a bell. Holler "ding-dong" and strut your stuff and go after what you want.
Ring loud for those who cannot. Be a bell. Make a statement. Shout from the rooftops or whisper softly. Put a star on your head or a Santa hat atop your hair and tell someone- tell anyone- that you, much like Horton, "are here".
I just wrapped up a stint as choreographer of our local Lyric Theater's production of White Christmas. Community theater is a bell ringing in a silent world. It brings culture, art, appreciation of music and song and dance to people who may never get to travel to the Great White Way. It is a gift tied with an elaborate bow. So many fingers are involved in tying that bow.
The Production Manager who makes sure the performers have water in the dressing rooms, runs opening night gala, compiles and prints programs and generally runs non-stop comes to mind. The Music Director who runs scales and pounds keys and smiles, no matter how sour the note. The Sound Technician who continually works to find the right mix for fluctuating voices and deals with microphone idiosyncrasies. The crew who makes sets come to life and lifts and moves and constructs day and night. The parents who cart kids and retrieve them way past bed time. The Directors who set aside their real jobs and families to make a dream come to life. Of course, the actors who push through illness, exhaustion and final exams and light up the stage with their amazing talents.
Here, in our town, we did it. We rang our bell. We filled the house for four shows in three days. We worked together to "Make The Magic Happen", and we never doubted it would happen.
Wait. Well, maybe we had a bit of doubt... much like White Christmas' Stage Manager, Mike. But, what is life without doubt? What is success without trial and tribulation? What is that feeling of accomplishment without the nagging issues that arise to get to that point?
Ten years from now, much like in White Christmas, we may find ourselves far apart and separated by miles and other "distances". I'd like to remind each of you to always, somehow, ring your bell... share your talents, build your community and make your little corner of the world a better place to be in.
For now, you are "dismissed". Tomorrow-- "on with the show"!
