Last night, was a unexpected school night out. I landed tickets to Peter and the Star Catcher, and took my almost ten-year-old daughter with me.
I had no expectations. Frankly, I just wanted to be entertained and have an evening where nothing was expected of me. Selfish? A little, maybe.
Act I was a romp on two different pirate ships. A dark tone with awesome use of lighting to build the feel of being held captive. The ensemble of 11 (10 men, 1 woman) was never still, moving flawlessly between characters. They used thick rope bent in different shapes to convey small spaces, movement of water, a boxing ring. Clearly a show you could see again and again and never catch it all.
Act I introduces us to a no-named 13 teen-year-old boy, with budding leadership skills. He meets a girl named Molly, similarly inclined but bossy and together they try to keep a trunk of precious "star stuff" away from some slimy pirates.
Act II finds the cast now on an island where wild things are happening. The colors are vivid and bold. The movements are tamed and focused. Some are inevitably beginning to grow-up, while others choose not to.
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| http://minneapolis.broadway.com |
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| http://minneapolis.broadway.com |
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| http://minneapolis.broadway.com |
The feelings conveyed draw you in to a time way, way back when tucked snugly in your own childhood bed listening to a bedtime story. Light airy, heavy if you wanted it to be. Think about it or don't. Simply beautiful.
At intermission while avoiding bathroom lines (Do that many people really have to pee?), I happened to open the PlayBill and casually read the cast names. Four lines down one was very familiar to me. I knew he was an actor, but hadn't seen him in years. He was my leading man in Guys and Dolls, and it was the first leading role for both of us growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Could it be the same Nathan Hosner? The Who's Who, led me to believe that yes, this was him. From the balcony in the first glimpse of ACT II I confirmed with I giddiness, that yes this was him!
What a magical thing to have our paths cross again all these years later just by chance, and even in the theater.
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| Mr. Hosner meets my daughter |
Nathan, as he goes by now was Nate when we were kids is a classically trained actor who graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Even with the bushy beard, I knew right away. He was tremendous in his many roles in the show accent and all! Marvelous really, twenty years later still so many of the same nuances as when we were in 10th and 11th grade, but now a true professional.
Following the performance, there was a post show dialogue with the cast. About a 100 or so gathered down in the first rows. As four of the cast members introduced themselves and rattled off their hometowns, I couldn't help but call out a cheer to Kalamazoo, and shout out my name in the process as Nate took his turn. My daughter was mortified! He hopped down and we visited, took a few photos, talked about the fabulous show. I told him of my continued connections with music and the arts, now as the teacher.
It hit me, sitting surrounded by high school drama clubs with their chaperone's waiting in the aisles, just how important it is to follow our own artistic journey.
Here they were, with bated breath waiting to hear my childhood pal tell them what to do if they too, wanted to be an actor.
I was there when he was one of them. And you thought just the show was magical?
Congratulations, Nathan! You'll always be Nate, to me.
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