But Firmly They Compel Us

We saw the Sound of Music at the Buell this weekend. I used to watch the Julie Andrews film every day when I was little - my parents have VHS evidence somewhere that shows me at 3 years old singing a fully choreographed version of "So Long, Farewell." Because I love the original so much, I went in to this with the expectation that my brain would spend the entire show comparing the actors' voices and mannerisms with the ones I know and love, and that my heart would spend the whole time waxing nostalgic for 1965 Salzburg.

I was blown away by the gorgeous and powerful voice that came floating off of the set when Kerstin Anderson launched into the title track. Aside from a few distracting ticks(how many times can you try to tuck fake hair behind your ear?), this young woman definitely did Fraulein Maria justice. The sets were creative, the lighting was fabulous - especially the scenes in the Abbey that features a bold and colorful back-lit stained glass window. The whole show was very well done, and we enjoyed it immensely.

However, the historic context of how Germany and Austria divided their loyalties based on Hitler's manipulation of politics struck a little too close to home. I know that my 3-yr-old self did not understand the reasons why Liesl couldn't pursue a relationship with Rolf, or why the Captain was so upset at finding the flag of a party he despised in his front yard upon returning from his honeymoon. But as an adult, my heart is aching for our country, after considering the trials families went through during that period to pursue their basic freedoms.

Austrian citizens who did not appreciate Hitler's dictated rules were cast out of their community, and eventually their country by those who blindly followed his hatred and division. Our country is so dramatically polarized right now, it's impossible not to wonder if we are not headed toward a similar fate. Parties, issues, media - no matter what topic you ask people about, you will get passionate responses that are so evenly divided - 48%/52%, 45%/55%, 51%/49%. No matter where your alliances fall, you are up against the other half of Americans who believe that the opposite approach is best.

I have been distraught about the current election cycle for months now. Each day brings to light another reason I am terrified for our future. So many Americans are unhappy with our current state of affairs, and so many people disagree on how we can get ourselves back on track. How can we find compromises that will move us collectively in a positive direction, and won't further the divides that are growing? There's no right answer, but there has to be a better solution than packing up your family in the middle of the night and seeking asylum with a neighbor to the north.

Let Us Float Down the River

Last week was one of the most amazing performance experiences I have ever had. Sound Circle was invited to offer two of the shows we have put together over the past four years (since the last GALA Festival in Miami), and we contributed to two other collaborative efforts. This past year has been a very long and sometimes arduous experience for me, because I had to independently learn repertoire that the group had been performing for years together. But every second of the time and energy expended was more than worth it! It was a week surrounded by so much love and acceptance and appreciation, that I literally had to re-integrate into the real world when my time there was over and I had to go back to work. One of the evenings we performed to a general admission audience at the Temple Buell Theater in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, and a half hour before the show, the Buell was full. They scrambled to put together a simulcast next door at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, which was full a half hour after the show started! That's definitely the largest audience I have ever performed in front of, and it was exhilarating. Music has always had a huge impact on my heart, and has profoundly influenced the way that I process the world around me. I very much enjoyed experiencing and sharing that with so many people who appreciate the same things, and have their own processes to share. Our Path of Beauty concert was very well received. Chris' Grand Canyon photographs were projected in hi-def against an enormous screen the entire length of the Buell stage, which was quite a feat to tech, but breathtaking from the balconies. The reactions from the audience were so moving, with one lady apologizing for her lack of articulation because she "Had not yet returned from the amazing place we took her to." After spending at least three days a week with the group over the past few months, it is going to be weird to not see them until the end of September. I need a break and will definitely enjoy having more free time, but I will look forward to the start of a fresh season in the fall.