My last year of teaching in Joseph City I did a tour and a musical in the same year and swore to never do that again. I don't know if that is similar to what moms feel after giving birth but enough years passed that when my wife mentioned the idea to me I jumped at the thought and implied permission and didn't look back. Sometimes when the stars align you have to channel your inner Uncle Fester and shoot for the moon.
I have to thank all those who agreed to help with this crazy whim, we positively could not do it without such amazing community support. The hours that go into a musical, even one I promised would be simpler, is truly immeasurable. I must also thank the Holbrook Administration for funding this musical and providing this performance free of charge to the community of Holbrook as a thank you for your continued support of the arts and the school in general. Thanks to your support of the school override we can continue to inspire students through the arts and other valuable school activities.
Thank you to the students who worked so hard to put on another excellent musical. The quality of the students we have here is inspiring. We often talk about the George Gardner quote "Character is more important than talent." These students exemplify that statement and prove that talent quickly follows. When you work this hard you get to experience true fun which is a lesson I hope they carry with them throughout their lives.
Lastly, I must thank my family as they give more than most will ever understand. When my girls were little they used to ask my wife if they could go to Daddy's house which was really just the auditorium. As the final words of the show so accurately state "It's family first and family last, it's family by and by."
Every time a show concludes we have mixed feelings of bittersweet. Happy for the memories but sad to see it end. I'll leave you and my students (especially the Seniors) with a few lyrics from what just might be my favorite song from this year's show.
Kyle Gardner
Director
Happy Sad
Right and wrong, who's to say which we should refuse
All we know, love survives either way we choose
Here you are, at the edge, go ahead and fall
Don't resist, I insist
Love still conquers all
I'm feeling happy, I'm feeling sad
A little childish, a little Dad
I think of all the days you've known
All the ways you've grown
See you on your own, and then
I'm feeling happy and sad again
Life is full of contradictions, every inch a mile
And the moment we start weeping
That's when we should smile
In every Heaven, you'll find some Hell
And there's a welcome in each farewell
Life can be harsh, the future strict
Oh, what they'll predict
So let's be happy
Forever happy
Completely happy
And a tiny bit
Sad
