Dispatches from Home – Reflections on West Side Story.

Today, a week ago, our production of West Side Story ended. The curtain came down, the costumes were packed up, the sets were dismantled, and our makeup was removed. The director, crew, and cast members returned to our respective lives, doing what we do in regular events. But even though the production had ended, the best part was just beginning–the creation of memories.

As many of you know, I first tread the boards at GLT in the summer of 1975. It was GLT’s summer musical, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, directed by J. Douglas Andrews, one of GLT’s few full-time directors. I was in the chorus playing a eunuch–thankfully, only figuratively. LOL! We eunuchs opened the show, much like the Jets and Sharks did in WSS. I sported a “Roman” costume, a silly-looking wig, and bare feet. To this good day, I’ve never forgotten the thrill I experienced when, on cue, I turned around to face the audience, and they laughed at my silly facial expressions and bodily contortions.

And then it happened…I was bitten and bitten hard! I was bitten by that most devilish of all bugs, the theater bug! That was thirty-nine years ago, and the bite still itches, reminding me of the fun and laughter that I experienced all those years ago, along with the life-long friends that I made. My memories of those happy times, as well as the ones to follow, were just beginning.

I also experienced something else that summer: acceptance. Junior High School and High School were miserable times for me! College was better. If you go to a dictionary of the day and look up the words geek, nerd, or some such, my picture illustrates the definition. LOL. When everyone else was rocking and rolling to the music of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Janice Joplin, and Jimmy Hendrix, I was listening to Big Band music and Grand Opera.

When everyone was rushing to the picture show to see the latest James Bond movie or watching The Mod Squad on the telly, I would see re-releases of old movies from the 30s and 40s in New Orleans and watching Lawrence Welk on Saturday night. And because I did, life at school was unpleasant, to say the least! But that “unpleasantness” was eventually eased by two buildings: Gulfport’s First Baptist Church, once located on Hwy 90, and the Gulfport Little Theater.

Both these buildings offered me–the geek, the nerd, the outcast–a place of sanctuary from the cruel world of school and other areas. Through them, I found I could express my creativity and not worry about what the “world” thought of me. It was like pouring soothing oil on a festering sore that eventually healed thanks to the love, kindness, and acceptance of friends and family at church and the theater.

Now, said all the dull tale to say this: life is not a bowl of cherries, so says the old Depression song! And because it’s not if you can find a place of acceptance filled with family and friends, love, and kindness, run there as fast as you can. Don’t delay! In our world of chaos, evil, and uncertainty, a place of acceptance–and the people therein–is like manna from Heaven. It sustains us in the day and gives us hope in the night.

The Good Book says, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” As each of you mature into adults, that’s an excellent philosophy to aspire to. Another good rule to follow is this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Let me take this opportunity to thank you for making West Side Story a delightful experience! I thank Cal and each of you–the cast and crew–for “accepting” me. So now, let the fond memories take root and flourish because what is life without them?

Big hug to each of you! Kind regards and best wishes, Glad Hand.