I’ve been pouring over this for some time. This play is a meaningful, heart-wrenching journey of three people that find themselves the subjects of destiny. Piece by piece their worlds unravel until the revelation of what life could be shines through. For Radames, Amneris, and Aida it is too late, the reality of what life is stikes with the dual swords of time and circumstance to win the day.
Why did I choose this show? For two very personal reasons. First, I see the world around me changing. The subjects of class and racial inequality, as well as the expectations placed on women drove me to endeavor to do this piece of art. As we close our 2017/2018 season which wrapped around the theme of civil rights and social justice, I knew we had to give a voice to our own minority community.
Beacon has more minority students than ever before. Because of that, we need to find theatre that has roles which are written for these students. Merely changing the race of a established character is not enough. Characters that portray the people in the community is what is needed to complete this season. Especially when it pertains to women. I have three stepdaughters and two daughters of my own. I am married to a woman who is a powerhouse in her corporate profession. And I grew up with an amazing hard working artist mother and a fabulous younred sister. These powerful and potent women in my life drove me to pick a story that empowers two women to stand up to the societal expectation of them, embrace themselves and make a lasting change in the world.
The second reason I decided to do this work is for my father, Robert LeClair. Some time ago we were estranged for circumstances outside of ourselves. In 2005, six years after breaking ties with him, my father came to see a show that I had worked on as Tech Director, Bishop Hendricken’s version of AIDA.
I remember how gentle and kind he was when he approached me; knowing my life was in tumult, knowing I was in need of him. And it all surrounded us meeting, by fate, at that show. I am proud to be Like Father, Like Son. He is the man that taught me to swing a hammer, sing, love music and performance, and be a good father. AIDA means so much to me. I rekindled my family. It allowed me to break the bonds that held me and rise up to embrace my destiny.
If not for the circumstances surrounding that night at that show, I would not be where I am today. Without my father, my wife, my daughters, and my family, I would not be able to express to you the power of this work of art. It is about so much more than a love triangle among the powerful of two nations at war. At its core, this remarkable show allows us to reflect and look inside to find our own paths, our way past expectation, our bravery, courage, love, determination, and passion.
Look into your hearts and find what is Written in the Stars. You may be surprised to find you are guided by your choices to the understanding that everything happens for a reason, even if that reason is at first clouded, it will appear. You just need to hope and hold on to who you truly are. I am my father’s son. Of this I am proud and humbled at the same time.
Dad, this performance is dedicated to you.
I love you.
