I’ve treasured Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting since I first read it at age nine. I was fascinated by the prospect of living forever, and equally puzzled as to why someone would choose to grow old and allow their life to pass. Simultaneously, there was something about this story that made me feel like the impermanence of life was precious. I couldn’t explain it then, and I don’t know that twenty years have equipped me with the skills to adequately explain it now, but the importance of living, embracing each fleeting moment, still resonates. Perhaps it’s the same reason I am drawn to theatre. It’s ephemeral. It mirrors life in the way that it appears, impacts, and then vanishes, leaving us with only the memories of how it made us feel. There is a certain magic in that—the power of being truly present and appreciating each moment.
Directing this musical prompted me to reflect on the theme of boxes. The music box in the play is more than an object, it’s a symbol of memory and a source of peace. Boxes are vessels. We fill them with necessities, treasures, and secrets. Sometimes we leave them empty. Whether utilitarian or ornate, they are defined by what they hold. Viewing our lives as a collection of boxes, I wonder: What do these vessels look like? What experiences do we choose to share, and what do we keep hidden away solely for ourselves? What remains to be discovered by those who love us when we are gone? As I ponder these questions, I am reminded of a poignant quote from the sitcom Community, “Life is only worth a damn because it's short. It's designed to be consumed, used, spent, lived, felt. We're supposed to fill it with every mistake and miracle we can manage. And then we're supposed to let go.” (“The Psychology of Letting Go.” Community, created by Dan Harmon, S2.E3)
As this performance comes to a close, and you gather your things to leave, I invite you to reflect upon the boxes you keep and to appreciate and fill each moment with all you can because, as Angus explains to Winnie, “You don’t need to live forever, you just need to live.”
~KayCee DeYoung
