I always thought that Friday nights were the best nights. But picking a favorite time of the week went beyond the “no school means no bedtime” policy that is often applied to children under 12. Friday nights were special because they were Disney nights. I would fight sleeping eyes until 10:30, which was usually the time when I would hear the all too familiar jingling of keys. My father would open the front door with one hand and carried a brown paper bag with the other. He would greet all other members of the family while I impatiently followed him around, waiting for him to reveal what VHS tape he decided to bring this week. When he determined that he had dragged out the anticipation to his liking, that’s when he would make the great reveal. I can still recall the feeling of happiness and excitement swell through my body as my entire family sat on the couch to be taken to the magical world that Disney had created that night.
Disney movie nights progressed into yearly Disney World summer vacations, where I recall begging for my mother to buy me those all too familiar mouse ears, riding space mountain and getting headaches (the good kind), and watching the wishes fireworks show with a lump in my throat that I couldn’t explain. But when I saw the tears rolling down the faces of people of all ages and backgrounds, I knew that magic was in fact a very real thing.
Beauty & the Beast is special to me, not only because I watched it 5 times a week, but because it showed that magic is displayed not just through a curse, a mirror, and an enchanted rose. Magic is when Maurice finally gets his invention to work after so many failures. It’s when the bookseller gives Belle her favorite book just to see her smile. It’s when the Beast lets her go. And finally, it’s when just a little change- small to say the least- gives you a tale as old as time that keeps on giving.
Directing this show with my best friends has become one of the greatest accomplishments of my college career. To everyone that answered an email or phone call at 5am, took a road trip to pick up a costume piece or prop, or dealt with my somewhat unrealistic ambition, I cannot thank you enough. Not only were you the most qualified production staff, pit,and run crew to work with, but you took my vision and made it into something that I didn’t even know was possible. To the cast, I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you for your undying passion and determination to be the best you can be. To those special people that will stay within the company after the seniors have walked the stage, I think it is safe to say that HTAC is in extremely qualified hands. To my friends, siblings, and other family members, thank you for supporting me through my journey and encouraging me to continue my passion for theatre. Lastly, thank you to my parents. I have no words to dictate the overwhelming feeling of appreciation and profound gratitude I have for all the sacrifices you have made to make my dreams come true. Despite the spell Disney has cast on me, nothing has been more magical than being your daughter.
I wish that you, the audience member, leave the theater feeling like you just opened a brown paper bag full of bliss.
Hoping you find home here too,
Melissa
