Lately I have been feeling a bit claustrophobic. It seems like all of my possessions and just the general shit piled up in my room (and now spilling over into every other room of the house) are suffocating me. I am looking forward to having to cut down my life in a couple months to whatever I can fit in a suitcase. I know this could be cured if I just cleaned my room… but that is beside the point.
The actual point being that I wonder if this is how Thornton Wilder felt when he wrote Our_Town. Allow me to paint a picture for you: Thorny chilling in some random ass theatre and just having enough with all the shit sitting around him. “Get that fly off my stage! What is this set? I don’t need no fake-ass house! Just pretend there’s a house! Yeah sure, good enough! Forget painting that flat! Here’s an idea, let’s just put this goddamn play in a theatre! And where is my director? I don’t need him either, hey you! Yeah you, stage manager! You’re in charge buddy.”
I am pretty sure this is almost exactly what happened. If Mr. Wilder felt anything like how I feel now with regards to stuff then I finally understand why Our Town is as obnoxious as it is. So for that Thornton, I forgive you. As for my being forced to see and write a paper on Your Town sir, you are still held accountable. I could have lived all my life without a Canadian asking me to speak so he could copy my New England accent.
Woah, sorry!! Didn’t mean so scare you so early on. Yes this is Nick Jonas, and now you know how I feel. I mean, really? Is nothing sacred? Nick Jonas is currently playing Marius in the West End production of Les Mis. I know Nick that you played Gavroche all those years ago, but come on! Isn’t being a Jo-Bro enough for you? Aren’t you like 12 anyway? I’m going to close my eyes for the rest of your three week engagement and when I count to three please be back on the Disney channel. Ok? Promise?
Enough of me being mean. I have heard a clip of him singing the part and I will admit that he has the talent. I would post the clip, but I have been criticized for the quality of the youtube vids I share with my friends before. But I will say this: Nick hitting the notes are not enough, you have to actually act too. So I guess I was not quite done being mean yet. Also Nick, you are not British, not even when you are singing, so the accent has got to go. Ok now I am done! Fo realz dis time!
The scene: a small clothing store, typical customer age 45-60. Lights come up on a conversation between my manager, a customer (pushing the high end of the typical age spectrum), and myself.
Old Woman: Oh yes, and my grandchildren are going to go see Billy Elliot in New York next weekend. Have you heard of it?
My manager: No, what’s that? Billy Elliot? I have never heard of it.
Old Woman: It’s a musical. It’s about a boy who wants to be a ballerina, but his dad makes him box, oh it is very interesting I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it. It won an Emmy award or a Grammy or something.
Manager: It sounds familiar, that will be fun.
Me: It probably sounds familiar because it was based on the movie that came out not too long ago. Yes, it did win several Tony awards, including Best New Musical and the three little boys that originated the role of Billy jointly won the Best Actor Tony. Elton John did the music for it, and he seems to be pretty hit or miss with his musicals, but this one is doing much better than his last one did.
Old Woman: Now how do you know so much about it? Have you seen it?
Me: No… I’m just interested in Broadway.
Old Woman: Well that’s odd, what with you living up here so far away from New York.
Me: Yeah, I know.
The conversation then turned to our most recent arrivals (“You know, if you like that skirt, we have it in this print as well”). Needless to say, this is my life. I relish every chance I get to put my Broadway obsession to use, though these moments are few and far between. I have gotten used to that oddly specific look on people’s faces questioning “Why the hell do you know this much about musicals?” In response to those faces who have or may someday soon form this visage: Imma do wat I do, Imma say wat I say. I like wat I luv, an’ wat I luv is Broadway.
End Scene.
