So, my new musical is premiering this Friday, April 8, 2011, at the Berry Fine Arts Center, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Ohio, and I have yet to see even a minute of it played out on the stage. I did not have a hand in the production, other than making a few tweaks to the script. I have not attended a single rehearsal. I have not even heard all of the music. When the curtain rises on Friday, I will be sitting with the rest of the audience members, experiencing it for the first time.

This has been hard for me to do. It’s sort of like giving your child to somebody else to raise. I trust that Scott, my collaborator, has done everything in his power to impart my vision for the show to all of the actors and crew. But that’s not quite the same as my actually being there to provide feedback when questions arise. Besides, Scott did not immediately grasp what I was trying to say (probably because I wasn’t saying it as well as I could have).

However, one of the most exciting things about writing for the stage is seeing what other people do with your material. For various reasons, there has yet to be a definitive production of the The Last Christmas Carol, a show Scott and I wrote over a decade ago. Yet, I have thoroughly enjoyed nearly every one I have seen because of the unexpected things people brought to it. There are certain bits that actors have done over the years that I really wish I had thought of. I am sure that will happen this weekend as well.

Now, if anyone would like to join me for the show, here’s the critical information.  There will be two performances:

  • Friday, April 8 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 9 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $7, Students $5, 12 and under are free!

Berry Fine Arts Center, University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Ohio

Hope to see you there!

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